Prisoners Playing Antigone

William Head Institution in Metchosin, BC, is the home of William Head on Stage (WHoS), Canada’s longest-running prison theatre company. Since 1981, the men have staged a play each fall and invited the general public. Anyone can buy a ticket, go through prison security, enter the prison gymnasium and experience the show. Starting October 6, the company will stage a sci-fi remount of an ancient Greek tragedy by Sophocles. Antigone is a play about a young woman’s decision to bury her brother against the King’s decree, even though the penalty for this civil disobedience is death.

This 57th theatre production is directed by Professor Eliza Gardiner from the Theatre Department at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo/Duncan. While the decision marks a return to the text for the company, fans will not miss WHoS’signature style of adding its unique perspective to the play. WHoS selected Gardiner because of her contagious enthusiasm and risk-taking ideas. Paying homage to the ancient Greek tradition, Gardiner asked for an all-male cast.The three female characters in the play—Antigone, Ismene, and Eurydice—will all be played by men.

The entire cast will be clad in masks to pay tribute to ancient Greek traditions, but that’s as far as the ancient style is honoured in this play. The costume room is full of neon paints, electrical wires, and foam to give the characters a cyborg, futuristic look that aligns with the original music and post-apocalyptic rendition of the classic plot.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

at William Head Federal Penitentiary a 35-minute drive from Victoria Oct. 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20st, 21nd, 26th, 27th, 28th, Nov. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 2017 Gates Open at 6:15 pm Gates Close at 7:15 pm Show Begins at 7:30 pm Absolutely no latecomers