Stars Clash in 'Antigone' Update: Ashes Ignite Drama

Alexander Zeldin's new play, 'The Other Place,' offers a contemporary reimagining of Sophocles' 'Antigone.' The production, which recently premiered in London and is now showing at The Shed, features Emma D'Arcy from 'House of the Dragon' as Annie and Tobias Menzies from 'The Crown' as her uncle Chris.

The narrative shifts the ancient Greek conflict to a modern family struggle. Annie wishes to keep her late father's ashes, while her uncle Chris, who now inhabits the family home, intends to scatter them. This core disagreement forms the crux of the drama, which is further complicated by character name changes that adapt Sophocles' figures to a modern context.

While 'The Other Place' loosely adapts the original play, it delves into the complexities of mourning and familial discord. The play's brisk 80-minute runtime and its contemporary setting, including a villainous uncle with transgressions echoing recent scandals, have drawn comparisons to soap operas, though Menzies' empathetic performance is noted as a saving grace.