Antigone 2024: 1

Antigone: Reimagined

A Director’s Outline: Dialogue, Part 1

Scene III, lines 492-502

Hello world. My name is ISometimesUnderstandInstructions (ISUI), and as the director of Antigone 2024 by Periodically Confused Studios, a reimagined take on the classical Greek play, I find it crucial to tailor the play’s dialogue to the tastes of a suitably modern audience. This might mean integrating hip, new slang; this might mean catering to our ever-shortening attention spans. Regardless, the audience is going to lose it like Creon did when he discovered he had inadvertently caused the deaths of his son and wife; #HeavyIsTheCrown. While keeping a fair portion of the original diction and syntax intact, I intend to make slight changes to portions that may be archaic for the modern viewer. With that in mind, the original dialogue is steeped in mythological references, so care will have to be taken to not destroy these allusions. Script analysis is a crucial aspect of a director’s duties. And I am one paycheck away from the ending of a Greek tragedy.

I will share with you, my #SometimesUnderstanders, periodic updates on working drafts of the script I’m working on. As you can deduce, this is the first one.

Scene III, concerning the argument between Haimon and Creon – Choragos had just remarked on Haimon’s arrival, questioning his reason for coming.

[Enter HAIMON.]

CREON:

We’ll see soon, and there’ll be no need for divination.

Son, You’ve heard what judgment I’ve made on that girl

What have you come here with? Hate or obedience? [Serpentine, almost spitting, heavy emphasis distinguishing the dichotomy between Hate and Obedience]

HAIMON:

[With a slight, thoughtful pause] I am your son, father. You are my guide.

You make things clear for me, and I obey you.

No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom.   [A lot of this section is unchanged. You might see this a lot in the future. #IfIt’sNotBrokenDon’tFixIt]

And that’s all I can share with you right now. Follow, like, and hit that subscribe button to stay updated and be a #SometimesUnderstander.