ANTI_GONE

by
Aristoteles Chaitidis

Characters

Antigone
Iphigenie
Guard/Usher
Clytemnestra, Iphigenies mother

For the musical aspect live accompaniment is recommended.

The play is divided into 8 parts that all have distinct names.

In the waiting room of a psychotherapeutic doctors office. IPHIGENIE sits on a chair by the wall.
Above her is a picture of an axe. On the far end of the room is a mirror, and a picture of an exotic
landscape by the sea (Tauris). Next to the chairs that are set up for waiting patients there is a knee-
high table with magazines. On the right of the stage is a desk, usually occupied by a secretary.
Behind it, a coat stand. On the left, a door (entrance), to the right, a door (doctors office), mid-
right, another door (bathroom). Iphigenie sits bored, but well-behaved. She flicks through the
magazines, but they are not for her. Every now and again she takes out her smart-phone and sends
a message or scrolls through her timeline. We watch her wait. The GUARD enters. His sphere is
the audience. He stands in front of the stage speaking in the manner of a spy whos identity will not
be revealed until later.

GUARD PROLOGUE
GUARD: Honoured guests. People of this city, foreigners, friends. Guests in our home. Paying
guest. Thank you for that. I am sure you have asked yourself what it is that you will see tonight. Not
only for your money, but also for the time that you, honoured citizens, are willing to share with us
tonight. I will therefore get right into it, and begin with the prologue and tell you of our Antigone.
But first off, let me say that Creon cannot be with us tonight. He is rather busy. Antigone is, well, a
young woman who has been causing trouble for the past two-and-a-half thousand years. That goes
without saying. She has come into conflict with the law. The law is what bears Creons signature. It
is binding. For all. Antigone does not see it that way. And yet she comes from the best of homes.
She has been brought up well. Top job prospects. She should know better. And yet she doesnt. She
has her opinions and her own ideas about right and wrong. Of course it doesnt work like that. And
yet: She has become a symbol for those who stand tall facing the power of the state. For thousands
of years. A shining star amidst the darkness of tyrannical systems. Whos moral compass deviates
so strongly from that of the state, that the state simply crushes it. Someone who dies at a young age.
Without a man, without a job. But with the moral compass in hand. Our Antigone also has a
compass like that. But I dont know if her compass works properly. Of course, as an usher, I do not
want to interfere or pick favourites. However, should our little performance get out of control I just
want to tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that we cannot force you to stay until the end. This is a free
establishment. You can look away.
 Now let me tell you a little about the background of the story. Background stories mostly
start with bad decisions on the side of the parents. Antigones parents were Oedipus and Iokaste.
Oedipus was very young when he married Iokaste. She had already been married before. Laios, her
first husand a highly influential politician was violent, he beat her, drank a lot, was very rich,
and ruthless. His murder was never solved. It was during that time that Oedipus came to Thebes. An
idealist with the vocabulary of a pragmatist. His striking contradictions quickly made him a
favourite and an object of hate for the high society in Thebes. He quickly won over Iokastes broken
heart. Not even a week went by after having met at a gala, and Oedipus already moved into the villa
thereby becoming Laios heir. The affair was heavily criticized, but Iokastes influence, stemming
from her time with Laios, made any public criticism impossible. Every once in a while it happened
that a little graffiti had to be removed from the walls. Paid for by the state. Laois widow was owed
at the very least that. One of the graffiti focused on the popular theme: Oedipus is gay! - Pssst!
Iokaste put on a brave face for the public. But behind closed doors someone threw a powder box,
some say in the inner circles. Some even claim it to be his. Yet the two still had four children. Two
boys, and two girls. Polyneikos and Eteokles. Antigone and Ismene. In truth Iokaste felt no more
sexual desire after four pregnancies. She knew the day would come when her young, beautiful man
will begin to look for younger women. She wasnt really bothered that it then turned out to be
younger men. The children grew.
That is when the problems with Oedipus began. Antigone felt an instinctive closeness to her
father. She wanted to be just like him. One of her earliest memories is of Oedipus showing little
Antigone how to walk in high-heels one afternoon. Iokaste heard of it, she was silent, let it happen,
ignored it. Antigone reacted in a very sensitive manner. Everything upset her, nothing was enough,
nobody understood. Polineikos and Etoakles kept getting into fights, made trouble, made people
worry, made a hassle. The boys were unhappy. When their father disappeared Antigone clung to
Polineikos. The city went wild with gossip whenever the two were seen together. Tightly embracing
one another. Holding hands. The girl looking up to the young man. It had the appearance of being
more than a replacement father. When she was 18 she began a relationship with the son of her
fathers arch enemy, but kept it a secret. The boys had already left the house. Haemon was madly in
love with Antigone, and stayed quiet in the face of the rumours surrounding Antigone and
Polineikos. Creon on the other hand was appalled, and put a huge amount of pressure on the young
couple. His son together with that girl! So introverted and that brother of hers. That whole family
is messed up! She agreed to therapy so she would be left alone. She isnt one for confrontation.
Antigone and Haemon are two people who find each other best in the silence of their thoughts.
Thoughts that are almost obscenely private. They do not share their love with the rest of the world.
Yet what comes from this privacy is something that can hardly be controlled, and what you do there
remains hidden. The forces that reign in that privacy are immensely powerful.
Short pause in which he thinks about what he just said
A tragedy is like an appointment with a therapist. It is supposed to re-introduce a balance that was
lost. That is why tragedies always have happy endings. For you, ladies and gentlemen. By the time
you go home today, you will be part of the happy ones in this world. Do you feel comfortable with
us? Can you hear the silence? That peace in our hearts? Im glad to hear it. And now, I wish you a
thrilling evening.
INTRODUCTION
After several minutes the left door opens and ANTIGONE, a young woman with an entirely
different energy than Iphigenie, enters the room. She takes the situation in, and leaves. A moment
passes and she re-enters the room. This time she sits down on one of the chairs. Iphigenie tries in
vain to start a conversation with Antigone. This creates uncomfortable silences that Iphigenie tries
to fill by playing with her smart-phone. We get the impression that Iphigenie is talking to herself.
Antigone seems to be a foreign body.
IPHIGENIE: Hi. My names Iphigenie. But everyone calls me Genie. Pronounced in the English
way, you know? OK. And you? Cool. Silly on a Saturday isnt it? Im waiting for my mom. Almost
every Saturday. And afterwards we usually do something. Last week we went to the cinema. The
matinee showing, because we were already done by 10. That was a short session. The film was
boring. Something about nature and environmental protection. They dont really show anything
good in the morning. But afterwards shes usually in a better mood. The pictures were great. Lots of
little birds, and something about how important birds are for the ecosystem because of pollination.
But that the birds arent enough if all the bees die. Because thats actually the job of bees and
insects. I cant really think of any birds other than the hummingbird that do that. Maybe those
things were moths in the film. I mean there are really beautiful moths too. Its not really fair that
everyone thinks they are so hideous. They are here, but in tropical areas they can be really pretty.
Like butterflies are here. Shes really pretty OK. She just comes here to talk. We have a house in
Mykene but we come to Athens a lot. Do you know Athens? Its really cool. You can really do
anything there. You can go shopping, or go out, or go to concerts. And the house is really big, so we
always have guests. Mostly politicians. Friends of my father. Agamemnon. Do you know him? I
dont really like it though, that there is always someone there. But my room is on the other side of
the house. I dont really notice much. Particularly when I close the door. Then I put on my
headphones and Im gone. But in any case, thats why we always have people around. And because
were such a big family she just needs a little quiet for her thoughts. I mean, its not like she is such
an intellectual. Thats just what she always says, the thing about her thoughts. Short pause.
Politicians are so boring. And you? Why are you here?
ANTIGONE: Because of the quiet.
IPHIGENIE: And there I go blabbering on. You shouldnt really spend that much time with your
phone. Its bad for your social skills. At least thats what my father always says. But he has one too.
Mobiles are really just the symptom. Dont you think? I mean, the thing itself isnt to blame. Its
really all about how I use it. Mobiles arent allowed at my school. Because once this guy started
watching porn during class, and he didnt have his phone on silent. It was really funny, but didnt
really go down that well. That was during philosophy class. Allegory of the cave. Plato, you know?
I think that porn goes really well with Plato. But whatever.
Antigone feels like she wants to avoid any attention by remaining completely still
IPHIGENIE: Are you waiting for someone? Noo, no? Im sorry that my mother goes over her time.
She loves the attention. Sometimes I feel really sorry for the doctor. The things he has to listen to. I
really couldnt listen to her going on and on like that. And then she always makes herself so fancy.
What does she expect people to think of her if shes always on that good society trip. Theres no
way she can escape all that pretentiousness. Are you here often?
ANTIGONE: (thinks: Oh please shut up)
IPHIGENIE: Sorry. But you go to your therapist to talk. You can only help people that talk. Thats
something my mother always says.
ANTIGONE: Iphi, or what was the short form?
IPHIGENIE: Genie.
ANTIGONE: Genie, right. Unlike your mother, I am not here to talk.
IPHIGENIE: Why are you here then?
ANTIGONE: (thinks: Why do I even open my mouth?)
IPHIGENIE: Wouldnt that just be a waste of time if you sit down with him and you dont say
anything. Most people that come here have some sort of affluence problem. Thats what my dad
calls it. People that have too much time, and too little to do. People grow with their obligations. Or
tasks. I cant remember. My mom always gets angry about that. Really she gets angry about most
things he says. Do your parents also fight a lot? What school do you go to? Or do you go to uni?
You could tell me what youre going to tell him later. As practice.
ANTIGONE: Are you dense?
IPHIGENIE: What? Should we just sit here and stare at our phones?
ANTIGONE: I dont have mine with me.
IPHIGENIE: What if someone wants to reach you?
ANTIGONE: Then they send a pigeon.
IPHIGENIE: You are kinda anti-everything arent you. Communication is the most important thing
for people. Without communication they whither. Besides the smart-phones arent the problem, its
how people use them.
ANTIGONE: Yes, you said that before.
IPHIGENIE: Sorry, its not like you show that you understood something.
ANTIGONE: Then look at this: -
Abramovic-moment: Iphigenie waits expectantly. Antigone says nothing. The look at each other for
an uncomfortably long time. Iphigenie stands up after a while.
IPHIGENIE: Do you see that desk over there? I think everyone thinks I should be behind that desk.
Im sure you thought that too. You were probably always one of the really strong ones in your class.
One of the ones who doesnt care about what other people say and just does her own thing. What
would you have said if a man asked you why you are here?
ANTIGONE: Nothing
IPHIGENIE: I dont mean like a specific man. Not someone you know. A stranger.
ANTIGONE thinks: I would say: There are influential people who are scared of me. They dont like
it that I question things. They are loud when they judge me. I dont do that. To be outraged is crap if
its nothing but an act of showing off. Enthusiasm is crap, happiness is crap, love is crap if its just
to show off. Everything is crap. If you could force people to look inside themselves they would
suffocate because of all of their crap. Those who communicate risk being understood. And so we
build houses of lies and then wonder why all those people in the room create so little heat. We
insulate the houses, and we isolate ourselves
Antigone abruptly stops speaking
IPHIGENIE: That all sounds dreadfully pessimistic. I would die behind that desk.
ANTIGONE: You can die everywhere. The desk doesnt matter.
IPHIGENIE: I know, but a desk like that is particularly bleak. My mother never worked. Of course
you cant tell her that because she always says that a husband and children are more work than a
CEO could ever pay himself for. My father is a CEO. Of course thats a cheap shot.
Antigone is bored, Iphigenie takes offence.
I just thought it could be interesting if we talked a bit. And since youre here my life is so boring,
Im sure I could tell you everything in five minutes.
ANTIGONE: You will feel different about that in ten years. Then youll talk about nothing else
other than the things that bore you now.
IPHIGENIE: Well, I dont know.
ANTIGONE: You always know better afterwards.
IPHIGENIE: So?
ANTIGONE: So what?
IPHIGENIE: Tell me something why are you here?
Antigone begins to braid her hair.
ANTIGONE: Im screwing my brother and my step-dad thinks thats sick.
IPHIGENIE: Hahaha.
Antigone pitifully stares at her.
IPHIGENIE: How do you mean that? You dont mean it like that, do you?
ANTIGONE: How do you want me to mean it?
IPHIGENIE: I dont know. But not like how you said it. Is that why you are here? To talk about
that?
ANTIGONE: Do you want to talk about sex?
IPHIGENIE: No. Yes. I mean, I dont have a problem with sex.
ANTIGONE: Do you have a boyfriend?
IPHIGENIE: No.
ANTIGONE: Why not?
IPHIGENIE: Because theyre all stupid.
ANTIGONE: No theyre not. The roles they play are stupid.
IPHIGENIE: What do you mean?
ANTIGONE: Does your mother have a lover?
IPHIGENIE: What?!
ANTIGONE: Do your parents have sex?
IPHIGENIE: Is that supposed to shock me? Like the thing with your brother?
ANTIGONE reconciled: No.
IPHIGENIE: I just want to understand.
ANTIGONE: The charge is incest with my brother. Suspicion of incest. Or to be more accurate my
refusal to deny the charge of suspicion of incest. My refusal to deny.
IPHIGENIE: Why wont you deny it?
ANTIGONE: Why should I?
IPHIGENIE: Because its not true.
Antigone says nothing
IPHIGENIE: But something has to be the problem.
ANTIGONE amused: That seems to be the popular opinion.
IPHIGENIE: Dont say that about your brother. I just cant believe that.
ANTIGONE: Why not?
IPHIGENIE: Because you dont look like someone who would do that?
ANTIGONE: And what does someone like that look like?
IPHIGENIE: OK, maybe you cant tell by what they look like. But you dont talk like someone
who
ANTIGONE: You wouldnt notice that either.
IPHIGENIE: Right. I just dont get the feeling that you would do something like that. I think you
just refuse to deny it because you want to prove something.
ANTIGONE: No matter what, everything is action. And as such, everything is left open to the
interpretation of others. I decide to decide, I decide not to decide. Not to decide is to decide. To
react is to act is a reaction to an action. Do you understand?
IPHIGENIE: Yes.
ANTIGONE: Really?
IPHIGENIE: Yes. You can do whatever you want, it can either be right or wrong. There is just no
way to tell beforehand.
ANTIGONE astounded: Yes, thats exactly what I mean.
IPHIGENIE: Everyone always expects something very specific of you.
ANTIGONE: Expectations accelerate necessary processes in life, they anticipate the outcome,
reassure you that your projection onto the world is the most reasonable.
IPHIGENIE: Wow, are you a philosopher?
ANTIGONE: Yeah. I learn that sort of thing at uni.
IPHIGENIE: Oh cool! You go to uni?
ANTIGONE: No, I just said that. Uni is exactly as fucking pointless as expectancies.
IPHIGENIE: My mom wants us all to go to uni and study because that will make us independent.
But Im not so sure if thats always such a good idea. My dad says the most important thing is
family.
ANTIGONE: You should better listen to your father.
IPHIGENIE: Thats what I usually do. But hes also crazy.
ANTIGONE: Thats usually the case with fathers who are more than fathers.
IPHIGENIE: Haha. So whats your brothers name?
ANTIGONE: Which one?
IPHIGENIE: Both.
ANTIGONE: Eteokles and Polyneikos.
IPHIGENIE: THE Polyneikos?
ANTIGONE: ?
IPHIGENIE: OMG, the other day I was at a rave festival in Mgara, even though I wasnt allowed.
Because too young and what. So I told my parents some story and then I went to the festival with
my friend Artemis. In any case, it was this really freaky party on this old factory site. Really cool.
And there were these two guys who ran the whole thing. And one of them was called Polyneikos.
Hes such a hotty. Haha. Sorry. I forgot he is your brother. But I swear, they ALL wanted to screw
him. Everyone. Men and women. I can feel that sort of thing. I dont really understand why its such
a problem with whom you want to sleep. I mean of course not with I mean, I dont mean There
are, there have to be eeeem.
ANTIGONE: To sleep with your brother isnt really hipster, is that what you want to say?
IPHIGENIE: Yeah, well.
ANTIGONE: Do you have a brother?
IPHIGENIE: Yes.
ANTIGONE: Do you have a picture?
IPHIGENIE: Yes.
ANTIGONE: Hes still really young.
IPHIGENIE: Yes.
ANTIGONE: Poor guy.
IPHIGENIE: Why, hes fine. Gets everything he wants from his sisters.
ANTIGONE: How many of you are there?
IPHIGENIE: Three.
ANTIGONE: Names?
IPHIGENIE: Elektra and Chryssy. Chrysothemis actually. Im the oldest.
ANTIGONE: I figured as much.
IPHIGENIE: Can you tell?
ANTIGONE: Yes.
IPHIGENIE: Cool. I mean, they can really get on my nerves, but all in all I really do love them.
Next week were going on holiday together, to Euboea.
ANTIGONE: Great.
IPHIGENIE: We go every year. My parents love to travel. My father has been everywhere.
ANTIGONE: Great.
IPHIGENIE: He says that travelling expands our horizons and makes us more tolerant and open. I
like travelling too. New cultures and stuff.
ANTIGONE: Yes.
IPHIGENIE: Do you travel?
ANTIGONE: No.
IPHIGENIE: Where are you actually from?
ANTIGONE: Thebes.
IPHIGENIE: Thebes is small though right?
ANTIGONE: Thebes is a freak show.
IPHIGENIE: Haha, understand.
ANTIGONE: Not really though, right?
IPHIGENIE: I mean, if you have fun at home, then I guess you dont have to leave all the time.
ANTIGONE: You dont have fun at home?
IPHIGENIE: No, I do, I meant you.
ANTIGONE: So you have a lot of fun at home?
IPHIGENIE: Yes, of course.
ANTIGONE: So why is your mother here then?
IPHIGENIE: To talk and such.
ANTIGONE: Yeah OK. I guess she has her reasons.
Pause
IPHIGENIE: Can I ask you something?
ANTIGONE: Why I am really here.
IPHIGENIE: Its not because of your brother right?
ANTIGONE: Yes, its about my brother.
IPHIGENIE: But you said it yourself, youre only here because you refused to deny everything.
ANTIGONE: It still is about my brother.
IPHIGENIE irritated: But not Because of THAT.
ANTIGONE: No, not because of that. Do you feel better now?
IPHIGENIE: I dont know.
ANTIGONE soft: Its not easy for me to talk about my brother.
IPHIGENIE: My brother is still so small. We always act like hes a little man, but really hes just a
boy. Thats just not the same thing as a little man, dont you think?
ANTIGONE: Boys arent like little men.
IPHIGENIE: But your brothers are real men. Grown up.
ANTIGONE: A little bit.
IPHIGENIE: Are you close to Polyneikos?
ANTIGONE: Theyre both dead. They are both foreign to me.
IPHIGENIE: Oh no, I am really sorry. I had no idea. I hadnt heard anything. When was it in the
news?
ANTIGONE: They covered a lot up. Thats just how it goes.
IPHIGENIE: Is that why you are here?
ANTIGONE: No.
IPHIGENIE: But there has to be a reason.
ANTIGONE: Does there have to be?
IPHIGENIE annoyed: If you dont want to talk about it, thats fine. Iphigenie takes out her smart-
phone.
ANTIGONE hesitant: Tell me something about yourself.
IPHIGENIE: There isnt really much to tell. Im turning 18 this year.
ANTIGONE: 18.
IPHIGENIE: My mother is 18 years older than me. I think thats a little weird.
ANTIGONE: Thats normal. That you think thats weird. My guardian is as old as the city itself.
IPHIGENIE: Who is it?
ANTIGONE: Creon is his name. Creon.
IPHIGENIE: Why do you have a guardian? Where are your parents.
ANTIGONE: Dead.
IPHIGENIE: I
ANTIGONE laughs: Its fine, you dont have to feel bad.
IPHIGENIE: Is that why you are here.
ANTIGONE: I am here because I was forced to come here. Everything about me is known.
IPHIGENIE: So whats the problem?
ANTIGONE: They want to hear me say it.
IPHIGENIE: Then say it, whatever it is they want to hear. Considering its known already anyway.
ANTIGONE: No.
IPHIGENIE after a short pause: Usually nobody comes here on Saturdays.
ANTIGONE: So why does she come on Saturdays?
IPHIGENIE: Because usually nobody comes here, and so nobody sees her. Funny that youre here.
ANTIGONE: Nobody is supposed to see me here.
IPHIGENIE: Oh. I dont really get why she doesnt come here alone. She always calls it our
mother-daughter-ritual, but really all it is is a Clytemnestra-ritual.
ANTIGONE: Your mother has a kickass name.
IPHIGENIE: No clue.
ANTIGONE: I bet shes unbelievably elegant.
IPHIGENIE: Dont know. How is your relationship?
ANTIGONE: To my parents?
IPHIGENIE: Yes.
ANTIGONE: They are exhausting people. I am too. My brothers are too. My sister isnt though.
Shes a lovely person.
IPHIGENIE: Dont you like her?
ANTIGONE: I love her. I just hate what she let herself become.
IPHIGENIE: Whats the difference?
ANTIGONE: Are you one of those obedient silly little girls?
IPHIGENIE: -
ANTIGONE: You are what you do, say some; you are what you feel, say others; you are what you
are, say the idiots.
IPHIGENIE: And you?
ANTIGONE: I am an idiot.
IPHIGENIE: Haha. I love the way you talk.
ANTIGONE: Do you feel like playing a game?
IPHIGENIE: What do you mean?
ANTIGONE: You do one of mine, and Ill talk to you as if you were that person.
IPHIGENIE: What?
ANTIGONE: Come on, itll be fun.
IPHIGENIE: Ill be right back.
Iphigenie goes through the third door into the bathroom, she stays there for a moment, Antigone
waits. Iphigenie carefully comes back into the waiting room.
ANTIGONE: So?
IPHIGENIE: So what?
ANTIGONE: Shall we play?
IPHIGENIE: You really want to play.
ANTIGONE: Playing is the only thing you can do here.
IPHIGENIE laughs: What do you want to start with?
ANTIGONE: Whatever you like.
IPHIGENIE: This is a little silly, dont you think?
ANTIGONE: Why? Isnt that the point of therapy? To re-enact certain situations to verbalise
trauma.
IPHIGENIE: Man, if there is one thing that I cant accuse my mother of then its not verbalising.
ANTIGONE: Does she speak about her feelings a lot?
IPHIGENIE: All the time.
ANTIGONE: Must be hard.
IPHIGENIE: Shouldnt be.
ANTIGONE: Youre smart.
IPHIGENIE: My education is expensive. So here?
Iphigenie goes to the secretarys desk.
ANTIGONE: You have to stay there in front, so the difference between us comes out even more.
You have to make sure that you cant get at me so easily. Go for it.
ISMENE
During the conversation Iphigenie gradually turns into Ismene. The exact point where she
transforms completely is up to the actress, however it should be no later than the time Haemon is
first mentioned.
IPHIGENIE: OK. Then Ill ask you again: Did you sleep with your brother?
ANTIGONE: Who are you now?
IPHIGENIE: I dont know. Your sister?
ANTIGONE: Ismene?
IPHIGENIE: Yes.
ANTIGONE: She would never ask me that.
IPHIGENIE: Maybe she wants to, but doesnt have the courage.
ANTIGONE: She has no reason to be afraid.
IPHIGENIE: You can be a little scary.
ANTIGONE: Unjustly so.
IPHIGENIE: Thats something only other people can decide. So?
ANTIGONE: I wont answer that.
IPHIGENIE: Isnt that why you are here?
ANTIGONE: I am here to atone.
IPHIGENIE: Bullshit. The people here want to help you. Besides, atone for what?
ANTIGONE: That people say that I slept with my brother.
IPHIGENIE: So you did.
ANTIGONE: If you want to see it that way.
IPHIGENIE: So you do not deny it.
ANTIGONE: Its none of your business.
IPHIGENIE: It doesnt work like that. I have to ask you something, and you have to answer. If not
we have no reason to talk to each other.
ANTIGONE: Why dont you ask me what I think about climate change. Or the situation in the
middle east, or far east, or south west. Dont you think that would be more interesting?
IPHIGENIE: But you said you are here because you are sleeping with your brother. Youre
screwing him is what you said.
ANTIGONE: I say whatever I want. Whom I screw is my business.
IPHIGENIE: Not if youre screwing your brother. Thats disgusting.
ANTIGONE: Fine, then Im not screwing my brother. So youre not disgusted.
IPHIGENIE: But you thought about screwing him.
ANTIGONE: There is no way you could know that.
IPHIGENIE: I could imagine it though.
ANTIGONE: But then its you who has a problem. You think Im screwing my brother. Why
would you think that?
IPHIGENIE: Because you wont deny it.
ANTIGONE: So everything I dont deny is true?
IPHIGENIE: You wont say anything.
ANTIGONE: All you hear is what you think.
IPHIGENIE: Which is?
ANTIGONE: Nothing.
Antigone stares at Iphigenie in silence.
IPHIGENIE: Does Haemon know that
ANTIGONE: -
IPHIGENIE: Will you tell him
ANTIGONE: -
IPHIGENIE: He deserves to know, dont you think?
ANTIGONE: -
IPHIGENIE: Its none of my business, but I think you should
ANTIGONE: be honest.
IPHIGENIE: He should know
ANTIGONE: who he is dealing with.
IPHIGENIE: He is entitled to
ANTIGONE: me.
IPHIGENIE: He is making a commitment to you. Hes putting his good name on the line for you.
He loves you so much. He really does. Everyone says so. He really loves you very much. Haemon.
He is a good man.
ANTIGONE: I will not marry Haemon.
IPHIGENIE: WHY NOT?!
ANTIGONE: Why dont you take him?
IPHIGENIE: My god you are such a beast. Such a good man, what did he ever do to you? Do you
really think youll meet more like him? That also want you, despite everything?! Who do you think
you are? Do you think youll always stay this young, and that the chances will just keep coming? It
is unbelievable how some people treat their good fortune. He is the best of both worlds! He is rich
and down to earth. He has everything, and yet he stays humble and shares. For gods sake, he helps
the poor, and went to the Amazon and campaigned for the preservation of the rainforest.
ANTIGONE: He went to the Amazon to be as far away from home as possible. He helps the poor to
get back at his dad and because the people love him for it. He shares because he loves the thanks
that come along with it.
IPHIGENIE: You really are a beast. You turn everything he does against him.
ANTIGONE: I dont need to.
IPHIGENIE: Wouldnt he be preferable to all the other men?
ANTIGONE: I will not marry him.
IPHIGENIE: Would you marry your brother, you whore?
ANTIGONE: Id rather die alone.
IPHIGENIE: You will regret it.
Antigone laughs tiredly
IPHIGENIE: Oh, youll seen soon enough, I swear. Life will show you real good.
ANTIGONE: No really, why wont you take him?
IPHIGENIE: Is that your answer?
ANTIGONE: Oh please shut up about Haemon.
IPHIGENIE: You have to at least tell him. Tell him that you wont marry him, tell him that you
think he is a terrible person, and that you think he does nothing out of the goodness of his heart, but
rather for all the wrong reasons, tell him, tell him, you beast.
ANTIGONE: I will say nothing!
IPHIGENIE: You have to tell him, you have to, he deserves at least that, you whore, he deserves to
know the truth about you!
ANTIGONE: Stop it!
IPHIGENIE: No, you will tell him, or I will.
ANTIGONE: You know nothing. You only know what you think about me.
IPHIGENIE: That is enough for me!
ANTIGONE: Stop it I tell you!
IPHIGENIE: I will call him right now.
ANTIGONE: Stop it!
IPHIGENIE: This is his number, right now he is going to find out what you did!
ANTIGONE shouts: I have done nothing he does not know!
IPHIGENIE: -
Antigone nervously goes through her bag and takes out a cigarette. She is about to light it.
Iphigenie stares at her in disbelief.
GUARD privately: Ah, sorry, you cant do that here. Its against the rules. Theatre.
Antigone is irritated and stares at the audience. After shortly wavering she puts the cigarette pack
back into her bag.
ANTIGONE: Fuck this.
Antigone is about to leave.
IPHIGENIE: Please dont go. You dont know what this means to me.
Antigone stops, goes back to Iphigenie and hugs her.
PEOPLE
The same is valid here: At first we see Antigone and Iphigenie talking to each other until Iphigenie
gradually turns into the people. Again it is up to the actress when exactly the transformation is
complete.
ANTIGONE: It is pretty hot in here.
IPHIGENIE: Shall we open the door?
ANTIGONE: No, not the door.
IPHIGENIE: Is there a window anywhere?
ANTIGONE: Theres a fan over there.
IPHIGENIE: I looked for the switch beforehand already. I hate waiting.
ANTIGONE: Nobodys forcing you.
IPHIGENIE: Thats such a stupid thing to say.
ANTIGONE: You think?
IPHIGENIE: Yes. Were here by car, and I cant drive.
ANTIGONE: Then take the bus.
IPHIGENIE: No.
ANTIGONE: Well if thats the case. I guess youll have to wait then.
IPHIGENIE: Youre waiting too. Sometime I wish I could hear whats being said behind those
doors. And then I change my mind. Everything is so exhausting at home. If I really knew everything
about everything that would hardly make things better.
ANTIGONE: Well, not knowing isnt always an option.
IPHIGENIE: How do you mean?
ANTIGONE: Nothing. Its just that sometimes you dont get to decide what you understand and
what you dont.
IPHIGENIE: The way you talk, Im never sure if youre insulting me or not.
ANTIGONE laughs: Im not insulting you.
Antigone points to the picture of Tauris.
ANTIGONE: Pretty. Have you been?
IPHIGENIE: No.
ANTIGONE: Im into speleology.
IPHIGENIE: What is that?
ANTIGONE: The study of caves.
IPHIGENIE: And what is so funny about that?
ANTIGONE: Nothing, Im just imagining you going on holiday in Tauris. Your first trip by
yourself, without your parents or your brothers and sisters.
IPHIGENIE: Have you been to a lot of caves?
ANTIGONE: My favourite place near Thebes is a cave. And the fields surrounding it. The barren
hills, the river running through the plane. I love the smell of the dry earth of Thebes.
IPHIGENIE: Whats Thebes like?
ANTIGONE: Ugly. The people are relatively rich. Because of the proximity to Athens. Corruption.
Faade.
IPHIGENIE: Sounds like Mycenae. Do you believe?
ANTIGONE: If youre asking if I believe in something then yes.
IPHIGENIE: I mean in someone.
ANTIGONE: Thats private.
IPHIGENIE: Youre just telling me.
ANTIGONE: Today you are alone, tomorrow you will be one of many.
IPHIGENIE: But everyone tells.
ANTIGONE: I will not.
IPHIGENIE: Here we go again!
ANTIGONE amused: Who do you think you are to think that you are entitled to an answer from
me?
IPHIGENIE stands tall in front of Antigone: I am the majority. I am the people. I am the employer,
the public servant, the electricity plant, the sanitary service, the builder, the doctor, the teacher, the
baker, the provider. I am public opinion and social network. What is your title?
ANTIGONE: Human.
IPHIGENIE: Why will you not share your opinion, human?
ANTIGONE: It means nothing.
IPHIGENIE: Every opinion counts.
ANTIGONE: Mine does not.
IPHIGENIE: You withdraw and yet you forget that it is your duty to be part of society. Not because
we want to force you, of course. But sanity wants you to. Consider this, outside of human society
there is only death. You cannot survive alone. Do we not deserve thanks for our protection? You
can let go within our ranks. Find peace, unfold in a safe space without fear of hostility, become your
true self. How can you refuse the power we are offering you. We will listen. We are interested in
your thoughts. Are you not thankful?
ANTIGONE confused: Yes, I am.
IPHIGENIE: And yet you refuse us? Do you not want to be a part of us? Share your joy with us? As
we share ours with you.
ANTIGONE weak: Your joy is not mine.
IPHIGENIE: We are all people. We are all the same.
ANTIGONE: I do not want to compare myself.
IPHIGENIE: It is impossible not to want to compare yourself. That makes us unsure.
ANTIGONE: That is not my goal.
IPHIGENIE: We are part of the decision what your goal is. That is not only up to you.
ANTIGONE: I cannot stop you.
IPHIGENIE: You would. If you could.
ANTIGONE: I will shove the conjunctive down your throat!
IPHIGENIE: The conjunctive ensures social peace!
ANTIGONE: I do not want this.
IPHIGENIE: Are you not scared about what could be?
ANTIGONE: Those are only fantasies.
IPHIGENIE: That could become true.
ANTIGONE: That is speculation!
IPHIGENIE festive: I look toward the future.
ANTIGONE: Where are you looking? Your vision is blurred by fear.
IPHIGENIE irritated: Our fear ensures peace. Our fear, our fear, our fear is the foundation of
humanity. Heated. We will always win. Our belief will move mountains.
Antigone nervously goes through her bag and takes out a cigarette. She is about to light it.
ANTIGONE to herself: The gods are angry. You can never trust their benevolence.
Antigone grabs a lighter from her bag.
GUARD privately: You cant do that here.
You can see Antigone is disturbed by the non-smoking sign. Yet she complies and puts the pack of
cigarettes back into her bag. In the mean time you can hear noise from the therapists office that
cannot be placed. The two young women look at each other and are slightly embarrassed.
HAEMON
Antigone and Iphigenie as previously. Iphigenies transformation into Haemon is to take place at
the latest at the line Be my Haemon for a moment.
ANTIGONE: Fucking place.
IPHIGENIE: Smoking will kill you.
ANTIGONE: Its not about smoking?
IPHIGENIE: No? About what then?
ANTIGONE: Forget it. Its all fucked up anyway. What am I even doing here?
IPHIGENIE: Thats what Ive been asking you all this time!
ANTIGONE: You know what, I dont like your game. Play by yourself.
IPHIGENIE: No wait. Sorry. I wont say anything bad any more.
ANTIGONE: It really doesnt matter. The game was messed up to begin with.
IPHIGENIE: Why do you say that?
ANTIGONE: Because I get involved in things I dont want to be involved in, just to be able to give
a sense of security that I dont have. Ever since we were born we are all in prison. To break out is
pointless. To get comfortable means to die. Two negative principles collide with each other, and
nobody wants to get out of the tight spot. We are lost, we got ourselves lost, and I cant pretend not
to know that I am part of the problem. Its in us, in everyone of us. There are no exceptions. We are
not victims just because we suffer. That is not enough. Pain does not exonerate us. What is
happening to me is neither just nor unjust, and yet I am forced to put it into a category. That is
something I cannot change. And yet, if I put it into a specific category I am acting unjustly. That is
my lot. Do you not understand that I cannot not do bad in your eyes. If I were a god. I would be a
conjunctive.
IPHIGENIE calm: Are you not a god?
ANTIGONE: No. We live in knowledge, and yet we suffer. Dont you see?
IPHIGENIE: I dont know.
ANTIGONE: We are not too young to know. We are not too old. I can do no good if I speak.
IPHIGENIE: Then lets leave.
Antigone laughs and puts her arm around Iphigenie.
ANTIGONE: Your face and the stars.
IPHIGENIE: What?
ANTIGONE: You are my bright face.
IPHIGENIE: I do not understand.
ANTIGONE: Be my Haemon for a moment. Be still. Freedom is only for the gods. As is love.
You can hear music and Iphigenie sits down at Antigones feet.
ANTIGONE: The way you lay there stretched out and strong. Your trouser legs rolled up, your
arms behind your head. The grass tickled us, but that wasnt why we always kept moving.
Sometimes on my back, or on my stomach, I was always looking for opportunities to look at you. I
imagined pushing myself under you, wedging myself in in between your thighs. Your weight would
crush me and I would dissolve under you. Do you even know how much I yearned for your lust?
We ran barefoot through the fields. Whenever your fathers provost caught us he would go off on a
huge rant: Creon would kill me if anything were to happen to you. The snakes! The spiders! The
sharp thorns! But we didnt care. We loved the smell of the freshly ploughed earth, the heavy,
throaty smell of the ground. How the grooves caressed our feet. You came to me with the
confidence of a knight. You were so full of life and optimism. You said you felt small in this world
and it was only when you were with me that you could grow. I never wanted you to grow. I was
scared we would become like our fathers. Be small, Haemon, be small. You said you had to restrain
yourself so that you wouldnt stumble. Haemon. Antigone. How beautiful you were with your
rolled up trousers, your dirty feet, and your strong upper arms. I have never seen another person
with a chest as open as yours. You can see everything there. Your chest is like your face. You
kissed my toes, but I would not suffer it. Do not scold, you said, do not scold me, I love, and will be
by your side even if no one can see it. I am at your side. You said that as you rubbed the dust, and
the dry earth off my legs. Go home Haemon. But you: My bright face. Antigone I love you. I said
nothing. I love you too Haemon. That was the first time we fought. I mean really fought. Not like
we usually did. When it was more teasing, seeing how far we could go, and trying things out. And I
blamed you because you said that I was only a form of protest. I hated the possibility that you could
be right. You said my thoughts were too complicated. That I carried them like a shield to protect me
from loving. To protect me from living. But that isnt true, you know that Haemon, you know that
that isnt true. My thoughts are like my arms, like my breasts, like my hair and my voice. My
thoughts love you, and keep you warm. But I cannot escape this form. I cannot expect you to help
me. I cannot expect you to love me. To understand me I am exhausted. (In her imgination: Her
face winced, and she shook her head. But he didnt understand.) Is it because I do not have good
dreams, is it because I lament this situation, is it because I was lost to you? I can see you stroking
your own cheek as if you were the mother and the child. It breaks me to see you alone. Yet I am
paralysed and do not reach out to you. Where are our hands? Are we not tightly entwinded in body
and soul? Where is your hand? Is it not on my face? Where is your thigh? Is it not on my thigh?
Where is your body? Is it not with mine? And where are my lips? Are they not on your lips,
Haemon? Stay free. Haemon. Is this not truth? Do you not breath the air from my mouth? The
breath of my breath. How you lay there stretched out and strong.
The music in Antigones head ends.
IPHIGENIE: Dont you think I would be the ideal lover? No one sees how your hands touch your
hip when you want to avoid a certain topic. You dont show it in your face. Your hands wander
down your body and you touch your hip, as if you were caressing them. Only I can see that. And
can understand that. Do we love each other?
ANTIGONE: It impossible to talk about.
IPHIGENIE: But I want to hear you say it.
ANTIGONE: Do I not live it? Why do you want to hear it? Go back into the house Haemon.
IPHIGENIE: Oh you, my bright face. My clearest of all waters. Crystal of my sight. I always
thought the two of us would have a child.
ANTIGONE: We will not have a child. Can you not see what this world has become?
IPHIGENIE: You have such distrust of love, the world has always been this way. This is not new.
ANTIGONE: But I only see it now.
IPHIGENIE: Then dont look.
ANTIGONE: I cannot, god damn it. We are fighting ourselves. Every single one of us is locked in
battle inside us, and so we project that battle onto each other, and love and hate each other at the
same time, and then we call that passion. Fuck that!
Antigone nervously goes through her bag and takes out a cigarette.
GUARD: Im sorry. You cant do that here.
Antigone stares into the audience trying to fixate the guard in disbelief. She sceptically puts her
cigarettes back into her back.
IPHIGENIE: Just stop it then!
CREON
Antigone and Iphigenie as previously. Iphigenies transformation into Creon at the latest with the
line It is anti-social.
IPHIGENIE: Smoking is unhealthy, its not just dangerous for you, but also for the people around
you. Every child knows that. Besides, your hair, and your clothes, and your breath, and everything
stinks. It is disgusting.
ANTIGONE: Youre right.
IPHIGENIE: Maybe the psyche-doctor can tell you why you smoke. I bet it has something to do
with your early childhood, some kind of trauma.
ANTIGONE: Yes.
IPHIGENIE: My mother always says that it takes all our lives to wade through the shit our parents
leave us. But when I asked her if that means that she will be to blame for all of my problems she
just shrugged and said, I dont care either way, I have my therapy sessions once a week. Do you
think when I get older that Ill also be at the therapists once a week? And make my daughter wait?
ANTIGONE: Yes.
IPHIGENIE: Yeah, thanks a lot. Family really is a fucked up concept. Its fine for 10 years, and
then you pass the expiry date fairly quickly. Really one should only be allowed to have three
children. Two would actually be enough. Both parents can love one of the two especially and then
everyone is happy. Did your mother also have to sit through therapy?
ANTIGONE: Probably she sat ON therapist.
IPHIGENIE: Hahaha, my mother too, you think? Gross. She might just be sitting there going on
and on and talking all of our heads off, but in the end she wont do anything.
ANTIGONE: What should she be doing?
IPHIGENIE: She could I dont know, its just so terrible to watch her live like that. And then I
imagine my life turning out that way. Do you think mine will also be like that?
ANTIGONE: I dont know Iphigenie. If we knew that sort of thing none of us would be here.
IPHIGENIE: Because you wont say why youre here.
ANTIGONE: How would that help you.
IPHIGENIE: I wouldnt need to be afraid of saying something wrong. I would know where I stand.
ANTIGONE: You can figure that out without me.
IPHIGENIE: So why do you refuse to meet me half way if I ask you to?
ANTIGONE: Because you dont accept me.
IPHIGENIE: Thats utter nonsense. I want to understand you.
ANTIGONE: Why?
IPHIGENIE: So that I can help you?
ANTIGONE: Why?
IPHIGENIE: Thats a silly question.
ANTIGONE: Why?
IPHIGENIE: You cant ask someone who wants to help why he wants to help.
ANTIGONE: Why cant I?
IPHIGENIE: It is anti-social.
ANTIGONE: I did not ask you to evaluate me.
IPHIGENIE: So you believe it is enough to have a feeling for things.
ANTIGONE: Because I show empathy?
IPHIGENIE: That isnt empathy. That is egoism. You like feeling the way you do.
ANTIGONE stubbornly to self: I will not deny that.
IPHIGENIE: Because you are reckless in your conviction.
ANTIGONE: I do you no harm.
IPHIGENIE: You, Antigone, put yourself above the order
ANTIGONE violently interrupting: that was never carved in stone
IPHIGENIE likewise: It was made by your kind!
ANTIGONE: I was not asked!
IPHIGENIE: Do you not trust those who came before you?
ANTIGONE: Why should I? They gave me a world I do not recognize and forbid to make it my
own.
IPHIGENIE: Nobody forbids you to feel.
ANTIGONE: I cannot refute you.
IPHIGENIE solemnly: The world is not for you alone.
ANTIGONE: I do not want it for me.
IPHIGENIE continues: The world belongs to everyone! You cannot speak for others.
ANTIGONE: I can not even speak for myself!
IPHIGENIE: Who is hindering you?
ANTIGONE in pain: I, me. I. I.
IPHIGENIE: Then let yourself go. Unite with humanity. Become one with the
ANTIGONE: fucking universe! The universe is fucking us all. We are nothing. I want to be one
with myself. I do not want to feel the entire universe inside me. It would suffice to know that I am
here, and not lost. I am making myself small, you see, I am making myself small! And yet I cannot
disappear. I cannot make myself not happen. I cannot go against my being as if I were separated
from myself. I am not the mould you scrape off to save what has not gone foul! As long as I live I
will not say what you want to hear Creon. I will never utter confirmation of your surveillance. I
would rather die than reproduce what you see in me. Yet it must be you who strikes.
IPHIGENIE calm: The law makes all this irrelevant. The law makes the world. You must adhere to
it. As must I. As must we all.
ANTIGONE: I need air.
IPHIGENIE: You will find your place.
ANTIGONE shouts: I have a place!
IPHIGENIE: Yes yes, of course. We made sure you have place and that you can keep that place.
ANTIGONE: We are not speaking of the same things. We mean entirely different spheres. For what
we gain in order, we forfeit in freedom, for what we gain in reason, we forfeit in kindness. The
thing you call communication I call noise and daze. My silence is a danger to you? Why?
IPHIGENIE: So I do not understand you. Is that what you mean? You remain misunderstood and
everyone else is to blame.
ANTIGONE desperate: There is no blame, only responsibility!
IPHIGENIE: Tell that to the judges.
ANTIGONE: You are no better than I am.
IPHIGENIE: Who said that? Discuss. Talk to the people.
ANTIGONE: Fine, let us talk about XX.
For XX insert a current armed conflict.
IPHIGENIE throws an object: You cannot defy war! Antigone is shocked and hides. Iphigenie
gathers herself, makes an apologetic gesture and listens through the door. No one seems to have
noticed. After a short brake both laugh it off.
IPHIGENIE: You know, you are one of those who say upon every demonstration of power, but
what about the weak? That the weak can be strong, that the masses can be wrong, that is something
you dont see, that you overlook, and so you only criticize the strong everywhere you can. The
system. The structure. Violence. But what is violence, if not the reality of the body?
ANTIGONE: It is my duty to criticize the strong.
IPHIGENIE: Really? Are you not strong? Should you not be criticized?
ANTIGONE: -
IPHIGENIE: Do you refute this as well?
ANTIGONE: I cannot deny you like that. It is impossible to deny you.
IPHIGENIE: Look, a society that gets by without violence does not exist.
ANTIGONE: Who decides the form of the violence though?
IPHIGENIE: What now, you want to re-invent the wheel? Do you want to project your sensitivity
onto all of us?
ANTIGONE: You are right. Many before me have already answered these questions.
IPHIGENIE: Yet they are not here. You are. You have the right. But be careful.
ANTIGONE: It is tiring, your constant
IPHIGENIE: Resistance? I know that we were never enough for you, that you always had to show
us that in your head there is a much better, fairer, prettier, more loving world. But your head is not
our reality.
ANTIGONE: And yours is because violence is a more concrete reality?
IPHIGENIE laughs: Yes! Yes! Yes! But when was it unjustly done? Just tell me this! Let me
explain: Your stubbornness in denying gives you a certain privacy that makes it harder to grasp you.
You are young, and I am sure many admire you. You see, we fear the attractiveness of your youth.
The powers that rest within you stay hidden to us, but we can assume you will not stay still forever.
When the time comes you will speak out. We want to understand what you speak, we must
understand. We do not forbid you to think. Yet we want to know what it is. So that you do not harm
yourself with whatever you think and say. You are our responsibility. We look after each other.
That is the goal of our care. Even if you think we act only out of arbitrariness, and greed, that is not
the case. You can trust us. We work to preserve a system that ensured prosperity to an unimaginable
extent. Can you ensure what our care ensures?
ANTIGONE: I dont have to.
IPHIGENIE smiles tiredly: Indeed. You have your own thoughts. But what about your
responsibility? Are you not indebted to our protection?
ANTIGONE: I am not doing anything.
IPHIGENIE serious: That is not up to you to decide. If I see you as an agent then you will be an
agent. If I see you as dead then you are dead. You are bound to my will.
ANTIGONE: So be it.
IPHIGENIE cold: Your will does not shake me. I will make you kneel, no matter what. You are
willing to refuse me simply because I do not adhere to you principles. Is your injury more important
than my efforts to uphold the law and protect the rule of it? You want to be free, entirely? That is
presumptuous. Your shadow is bigger than your light. You make yourself guilty simply by
breathing. Do you not know that we are far too many in this world? Your wishes mean nothing to
me.
ANTIGONE: Then let me have them.
IPHIGENIE scornfully: You truly are your fathers daughter.
ANTIGONE full of pathos: You wish me to die. Only then can I say what I must. Dead and not
equal to you.
IPHIGENIE soothing: Nobody demands your death. But withdraw you shall not. That makes us
vulnerable.
ANTIGONE: I cannot change who I am. Why would you run yourself into the ground for it?
IPHIGENIE: You cannot withdraw. Jump out of the net and you will fall.
ANTIGONE: You demand I pay with my life. You say I only have the right to take a stand against
you if I pay with my life. Only then can I rightfully withdraw from you.
IPHIGENIE: No, you can do as you please.
ANTIGONE: You want my confirmation. You demand a measuring of my soul.
IPHIGENIE: I want to understand you. I want to be able to protect you.
ANTIGONE: You want protection from me.
IPHIGENIE: It is my duty to care for you.
ANTIGONE: Your duty is not god-given.
IPHIGENIE: You call upon God? You do not believe in God.
ANTIGONE: I refer not to myself. You! God fearing as you claim to be, fall into sin by presuming
a duty you yourself have placed upon yourself. You hand out claims that are not yours to give;
securities no one ensured you, as if they were the most common place thing, and your sound
judgement, a plague. It is only your conviction that stands against mine. A conviction that you hide
in words that flatter what is good, yet drive what is bad. Think whatever you will of me. Write
whatever you think of. Paint pictures of me, let them take photographs in every different kind of
pose, go through my medical records, publish my psychological profile, so that the world can say
look at her, that one, she is sick, take care of her words! I despise you and your little minded order,
that is more focussed on security and guarantees than on freedom and life itself. A world in which it
is more important to understand than to feel. That feels righteous, because science said so. That
allows nothing else that could give rise to doubt. You said we are too many in this world. You, and
your kind, are too many in this world. I am but one. Just the one. Yet you call me a thorn. You
proliferate out of control! You kill everything in your path, you rational being of conviction. The
thought of your salvation disgusts me.
IPHIGENIE calm: I accept that. Give me your hand and all shall be good between us.
ANTIGONE confused: I will do no such thing.
IPHIGENIE: As you wish.
ANTIGONE unsure: What is your plan?
IPHIGENIE: Nothing. I will let you go.
ANTIGONE: Just like that?
Iphigenie sits down on a chair in the waiting room and takes out her phone. Antigone goes to her
bag takes out a cigarette and lights it. Iphigenie looks up from her phone stares at the rising smoke
in disbelief. The guard runs up onto the stage from the last row.
CHOREOGRAPHY
In this segment the guard/usher from the prologue enters the stage. As a guard it is his job to make
sure that the theatre remains a non-smoking area. He is extremely brutal in doing so. First he
knocks the cigarette out of Antigones mouth, and then continues to beat her up. He drags her
through the room, throws her against furniture, or on the ground, drags her into the toilet by her
hair. Antigone does not defend herself. At least not on the surface. She remains calm, so calm that
her demeanour is to say: See, you cannot break me. No matter what you do, you will not break me.
Slowly but surely the behaviour of the guard changes. After seeing him beat down on Antigone for
minutes on end, we notice he tries to bend her to his will in a different manner. He pushes her down
on the ground again and again without hitting her. Soon we begin to notice how he tries to
approach Antigone in a more loving manner. A bizarre image is created in which a maltreated
Antigone is held closely by the guard as if to protect. Exhausted from the fight the two fall into each
others arms and sink to the ground in a close embrace, while Iphigenie begins to sing Lamento
Della Ninfa by Monteverdi. The following dialogue is to be understood as an offer: It can be
asserted by Iphigenie throughout the entire scene in any manner. For some parts Antigone and the
guard can join in.
IPHIGENIE partly in a heroic tone, partly intimate, partly vulgar, partly distant: You
representatives of good society, of a functioning, law abiding society, come onto the stage. This one
here is defending the commonly agreed upon laws. He is good. He does what has to be done. He
acts drastically, lets no time go to waste. He grabs the problem by its hair, by its roots, and throws it
out of the arena of order. Customs need boundaries. Customs need consensus. The rough sound of
fear is in the air. Put down the misery. Put it down. I want beauty and pure air. I want my health and
my peace and quite. But, woe is me, they have passed, the times of peace. Let us pray. Let us stand
against any violation of the customs. A tyrant rule of law, we put on our own chains of order. Let us
destroy the shine of prosperity and enlightenment, for we are stupid, stupid, stupid, in truth there is
only that. Like dumb animals we gorge ourselves with pre-prepared nourishment. Tired of thinking.
Weary of beauty. We think we are smart. Culture is not a luxury. Culture carries people out of the
depths of fear. Culture is not a luxury. Culture carries people out of the depths of fear. Where do I
go wrong, where do I cut myself back? Show me, talk to me, talk to us, talk to them, show me
where the boundaries of my own stupidity lie. Show me, for I cannot see, as I have a thorn in my
eye that hinders me to do so, yet you can see my eye, you can help me get the thorn out, so that I
too may be able to see with free sight, free mind, free heart. Help me, help us, let me help you. Let
me. I am begging here on the ground. I stand here before you. I will remain unhurt. You will not
break me. Love me back. I stand here before you, unbroken. Look at me. I am still standing.
Unbroken love for you. Love me back, nothing else.
CLYTEMNESTRA
The guard gets up from the floor and lights a cigarette.
IPHIGENIE: Is that one from the theatre?
GUARD: Jupp. You have to blow into it.
He helps Antigone up.
GUARD to Antigone: Sorry about that. Its against the rules.
Exeunt guard. Iphigenie goes to Antigone who stands rather perplexed. She gives her a
handkerchief to wipe the blood off her face. The two women stand together.
IPHIGENIE: You know, part of me keeps thinking you really didnt have to provoke him the way
you did. The other part is really jealous of you. Can I help you with anything? I feel so small next to
you. You are so beautiful. I think I love you a little bit. Did you like my song?
ANTIGONE: It was so beautiful that it hurt.
IPHIGENIE: I hope not too bad.
ANTIGONE: No, just enough so that you still like it.
IPHIGENIE: Im sorry.
ANTIGONE: Its a bit late for that, to be honest. But thank you.
IPHIGENIE: My mother is going to be finished soon.
ANTIGONE: Yes, I should also start preparing.
IPHIGENIE: Antigone?
ANTIGONE: Hm?
IPHIGENIE: Are you going to tell him why you are here?
The door opens suddenly. CLYTEMNESTRA steps out of it in an impressive evening dress and
majestically glides over the stage. She does not look at the two young women, nor at the audience.
She is focussed entirely on the door facing her and while she is walking towards the door her right
hand makes authoritative hand gestures that culminate in her index finger giving Iphigenie a sign:
Here, you belong behind me! Iphigenie follows the gesture and the two disappear through the door.
Through the other door we can see the hand of the therapist gesturing for Antigone to come inside.
Antigone stays standing still.
Black.