Actors Of Dionysus are an English company that specialises in staging contemporary productions of classical Greek plays. Their production of Antigone, by Sophocles and adapted by David Stuttard, is a good advertisement for their wares.

In the cycle of myths that rippled down through the ruling dynasty of Thebes, the story of Antigone, daughter of the tragic Oedipus, is the last chapter. It is a simple tale examining the nature of duty and corruption, power and defiance, loyalty and betrayal. Her two brothers have been killed in civil war, and their uncle Creon, now ruler, buries one with honours, but decrees that the rebel Polyneices should be left to rot on the battlefield. Everything Antigone knows of honour demands that she bury her brother, and she does, incurring a terrible death penalty. Creon, under pressure from advisors, repents, but too late; his sentence has been executed. He in turn loses everything: wife, son and the support of the people. The Greek gods, as always, have the last vengeful word.

The production, lasting some 75 minutes, is fast-paced and taut, incorporating atmospheric music, some balletic movement and pared-down ensemble performances. Although the adaptor (who also directs) has made numerous changes to the dialogue, his work is true to the spirit and action of the original. This is particularly notable in the transformation of the blind old seer Teiresias, here presented as an acrobatic young woman who delivers her lines while engaging in athletic contortions. It simply works. This succeeds in being an enjoyable entertainment with personable actors, an imaginative set and excellent production values, one to savour.

Runs until October 17th