Doha: An Arab version of the classical Greek play Antigone was brought to life on stage by students of Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) for an audience of 150 students, staff, faculty, and family.
The play staged at GU-Q campus auditorium, was the first performance by the university’s recently launched Theater Group.
The play and the group were inspired and developed by students, with support of faculty and staff who oversaw logistics.
Layanne Malluhi, a culture and politics sophomore, started modifying the Bertolt Brecht version of the script written by Greek playwright Sophocles to make it more relevant to the Middle East, in January this year.
When it was finalised, auditions were held on the campus with more than 20 students taking part for 13 parts. An email campaign was launched to encourage more male students to attend audition, since female students outnumbered them. In the end, one male role was rewritten for a female actor. Qatari student Hessa Al Noaimi was cast in the title role of Antigone, and Waleed Hachicho played King Creon, Antigone’s uncle and the ruler of Thebes, where the story is set.
“Five students auditioned for the part of Antigone, and I was called in for a second audition before I got it,” Al Noaimi said.
“This was my first experience acting in a play. I have always wanted to do theatre, and when I learned Antigone was the play, I researched the story, and fell in love with it.”
Al Noaimi was impressed by the relevance of the story’s message to a modern audience despite the fact that Antigone was written thousands of years ago. “My character makes references to wealth, overspending, and losing one’s morals in a modern world — and for me, these are the challenges of our Arab world, where we are trying to focus on meaning and productivity, not just consumption.”
The culture and politics major also cited the play’s commentary on the changing role of women as relevant to a modern audience.
“In one of Antigone’s courtroom scene monologues, my character cites her status as an unmarried woman as a personal shame, and I could feel that many people in the audience could relate to why she would feel that way.”
Saaliha Khan, Student Development Officer, provided support and mentoring for the group — from script development to auditions up to the day of the performance.
The Dean, Dr Gerd Nonneman, said: “Theatre has long been a vital cultural platform for discussion of major ideas and themes in the study of human civilisation, and with our students’ adaptation of Antigone for an Arab environment, the young actors opened avenues for discussion of important issues they’ve encountered in their lives and communities.
“This theatre group is a wonderful example of relating a classic to the present day and Arab context.”
The play focuses on social, legal, and spiritual dynamics of a war-torn dynasty, with the daughter of Oedipus, Antigone, clashing with her uncle, King Creon, who punishes her actions before ultimately forgiving her. Central themes include Antigone’s determination and commitment to justice, the conflict between divine and secular law, and the role of women in society. The group may consider follow-up performances.
The Peninsula
