Emma D’Arcy and Tobias Menzies lead a stellar reworking of Antigone in Alexander Zeldin’s The Other Place at the National Theatre
“There will be no bonds of family”
In some ways, Alexander Zeldin’s new play The Other Place being described as “after Antigone” isn’t actually all that helpful. It is as much “Greek tragedy vibes” as a very loose retelling of the iconic play but that doesn’t make it any less affecting, particularly if you’re not that familiar with Sophocles. And, even if you are, this is very much Zeldin’s journey through unimaginable grief and secrets from the past which can tear the present apart.
It’s been a good few years since Chris’ brother Adam died and he’s all for making a new start. He’s got a new wife Erica, he’s finally remodelling the house where bro took his life and on the anniversary of the death, he wants to spread the ashes along with his nieces Annie and Issy. Annie has been long absent from the family’s life but for this, she rocks up with ferocious intent, determined to see her father’s ashes remain in his former home. The clash between Chris and Annie thus spirals…like a Greek tragedy and then some.
A marvellous sense of tension suffuses Zeldin’s production, underscored by Yannis Philippakis’ hugely atmospheric compositions. Rosanna Vize’s design evokes both contemporary luxe naturalism and something otherworldly, beyond the ages perhaps, as James Farncombe’s lighting illuminates the intensity and isolation of these characters. We know that nothing good lies in store for them but the revelations still hit like hammer-blows once they come.
Tobias Menzies and Emma D’Arcy are scorchingly good as Chris and Annie, the conflict and closeness between them at the heart of so much, both at odds with whether their fate is something they can escape, both radiating a tragic pain it is hard to look away from. Alison Oliver’s Issy is also superb, highly expressive and ‘normal’ seeming amidst all the drama and whilst I would have loved a bigger part for her, Nina Sosanya’s Erica is deeply felt as she tries to hold her family together. By no means an easy watch, it is pretty close to an essential one.
