Eccleston and Whittaker in Antigone at the National Theatre

Don Taylor’s Version of the Sophocles Tragedy Heading to South Bank from May 2012

Towards the end of last month the National Theatre unveiled its new press release detailing its upcoming season at South Bank and this included Don Taylor’s version of the Sophocles play “Antigone” at the Olivier National Theatre from May 2012. Now more details have emerged for this production, including a casting announcement for two of the play’s lead roles, adding to the long list of big names set to appear at South Bank in the coming months – Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker.

The version of the play set to appear at the National Theatre is the one that was put together by Don Taylor, the American actor and director famous for starring in films like “The Naked City” and directing the likes of “Escape from the Planet of the Apes”.

“Antigone” was originally written by back in 442 BC and deals with the Theban legend set out in various works of the Theban plays. Eccleston will play Creon to Whittaker’s Antigone, the former being a tyrant who decides to order Antigone, his niece, to be buried alive, angering the Gods in the process.

Eccleston is a well known actor of the screen, whose work has spanned movies and television, with perhaps his best known role being that of The Doctor in the television series “Doctor Who” in 2005. He has also appeared in movies such as “Gone in 60 Seconds”, “24 Hour Party People”, “28 Days Later” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra”. He will also be known to London theatre audiences for the variety of productions he has appeared in such as “A Doll’s House” at the Donmar Warehouse in 2009, “Miss Julie” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2000 and “Aide-Memoire” at the Royal Court Theatre in 1990. He has also previously appeared at the National Theatre in productions such as “Bent” in 1990.

Of the new plays announced for the Olivier National Theatre, “Antigone” is the first, appearing from 30th May 2012 (previews from 23rd May 2012). It is followed by “Timon of Athens”, “Damned for Despair”, “The Count of Monte Cristo” and “London Road” during the year.