Ismene (English version)

A coproduction from Théâtre du Double signe and Centaur Theatre

Antigone is probably the most emblematic figure of Greek tragedy for theatre audiences around the world. Her courage, her tenacity, has been celebrated for the past 2,500 years; her willingess to die for her beliefs has long been a source of fascination.

But what is known of her sister, Ismene, except that she is terrified of what is to come and tries, in vain, to sidestep her tragic fate?

Playwright Carole Fréchette, a leading figure of Québec theatre, has designed an encounter between a small group of people (you!) and this obscure mythical figure. Addressing her tale directly to the audience, Ismene draws the broad strokes of the troubled history plaguing her family, descendants of cursed Oedipus.

Ismene’s story sheds new light on the classical myth, a moving plea for peace and compromise in an increasingly polarized world.

What if we should have been listening to Ismene all along?

Shows presented in English as well as French

In this first-ever co-production by Sherbrooke-based Théâtre du Double signe and the Centaur Theatre, Quebec’s flagship anglophone theatre, the shows on Wednesday and Thursday, October 21-22, will be presented in English.

Excerpt:

« Ah! Now you think : I know that story. I heard about it. The woman who hanged herself, the man who gouged his eyes. And Antigone, yes, of course, I recognize her name.

Everyone knows her name.

You’re already looking at me differently.

You think: ah, yes, she’s the sister of. The daughter of.

You think: poor child. To come from that. That tragedy. How awful. »

Written by

Carole Fréchette

Translated by

Linda Gaboriau

Directed by

Alisa Palmer

Starring

Amelia Sargisson

Assistant director and production manager

Catherine Mathieu

Set and costume designer

Gillian Gallow

Lighting designer and stage manager

Andréanne Deschênes

Composer

Gaël Lane Lépine

French diction coach

Marie-Ève Pelletier

Technical director

Gabriel Duquette

Artistic directors

Hubert Lemire and Eda Holmes

Co-production

Théâtre du Double signe and Centaur Theatre

Photographer

Annick Sauvé

Graphic designer

Pascale Rousseau

The original script is available through Leméac.

On October 22nd : Meet the artists after the performance