Friday, 18 July 2025

If the law demanded silence, would you speak out? If truth meant sacrifice, would you dare defy the state?

These are the life-or-death questions at the heart of Sophocles’ classic play, Antigone. A new version by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, Artistic Directors of Cheek by Jowl, will be performed by WAAPA’s 3^rd Year Acting students from August 29 to September 4 at Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA.

Cheek by Jowl is renowned as one of the world’s most influential theatre companies. Co-founded in 1981 by Donnellan and Ormerod, it has performed over 40 productions in over 400 cities across six continents, building an international reputation for bringing ‘fresh life to the classics using intense, vivid performances like a laser of light to set the text ablaze’ (The Guardian).

Now Perth audiences can experience the creative mastery of these legendary arts practitioners, as Donnellan's crisp direction and Ormerod’s innovative staging breathe new life into Antigone, making this classic play resonate with startling clarity and relevance.

This is ancient tragedy with a razor-sharp edge for today’s world.

“Always when working with a classical text, you have to really pay attention to it rather than just looking at it,” explains Donnellan. “And when it’s a really good play, you’ll find it has got its finger on the pulse of now. And this is all definitely true of Antigone.”

This powerful production brings the ancient conflict between duty and morality into sharp focus for modern audiences. Antigone's unwavering principles clash with King Creon's unyielding authority as they grapple with questions of justice, loyalty, and the consequences of defying the state.

“We hope the audience will have a living vital human experience,” Donnellan continues. “We enjoy doing our work because we never truly know how the piece will come out or what the audience will make of it.”

Generously supported by Principal Partner Minderoo Foundation, WAAPA’s production of Antigone marks the culmination of a unique three-year partnership with Cheek by Jowl Theatre Company. Donnellan and Ormerod confirmed how much they have loved working with these Australian students across both the Acting and Production & Design courses.

WAAPA Executive Director, Professor David Shirley, believes this is an extraordinary opportunity for both Perth audiences and WAAPA’s students.

“The experience of working with such brilliant arts practitioners as Declen Donnellan and Nick Ormerod has exposed students from our Acting and Production & Design courses to the very best the world has to offer,” he says. “This will leave a lasting impact on them and has proved instrumental in nurturing their own creativity and artistry, the results of which, I am confident, will blossom for many years to come.”

Don’t miss this electrifying adaptation of Sophocles' timeless tragedy Antigone, performed with fresh insight and theatrical brilliance by WAAPA's graduating Acting students.

General admission only. This is not a seated performance.

Content warning: This production addresses themes of war and contains references to suicide.

Supported by Minderoo Foundation through the Premier Visiting Artist Fund.
Bookings through Arts and Culture Trust.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION: ANTIGONE 

STUDIO UNDERGOUND, State Theatre Centre of WA, 174-176 William St, Perth

Fri 29 August to Wed 3 September at 7.30pm, matinees Sat 30 August and Thu 4 September at 2.00pm

Tickets: $50 Full / $45 Concession / $43 Friends

Adapted by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod
Based on the play by Sophocles

Performed by WAAPA 3^rd Year Acting students

BOOK NOW: Tel: (08) 6212 9292 or online at: artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au (booking fees apply)

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For further information or to discuss interview opportunities, please contact:

Anton Maz, Marketing Manager, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts  
Phone: (08) 6304 6817 / mob: 0404 699 772 / email: a.maz@ecu.edu.au