London theatre hosts Georgian director’s version of iconic Greek play

A Georgian theatre director is making her mark on the London theatre world by staging her own version of the ancient Greek tragedy Antigone.

Tomorrow evening London theatre-lovers are invited to the Chelsea Theatre to attend Nanuka Khuskivadze’s staging of the ancient play.

Khuskivadze took advantage of a 20^th Century revival of the piece by late French playwright Jean Anouilh then adapted the piece further, with the end result being described by organisers as "one of the most talked about theatrical event of the year”.

The play will cast young actors of the Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgian State University. Those involved said the performance was "both emotionally captivating and entertaining” and would interest a wide audience.

Khuskivadze’s take on Antigonewas created in collaboration with composer Mikheil Mdinaradze, costume designer Teona Shelia and scenographer Sopiko Kikabidze.

The original play was written by Greek tragedian Sophocles around 440 BC. One of the most famous works by the author, Antigone was the first of the three plays that follow the story of the fall of the great King Oedipus and the tragic fate of his children.

Tbilisi-based Khuskivadze has worked as an actor and director at the Rustaveli Theatre since 1986 and participated in more than a dozen productions, including a staging of Antigonein Tbilisi’s Basement Theatre in 2002.