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Antigone: a new adaptation of the classic Greek tragedy
A modern retelling of Sophocles' classic play, Antigone, by bestselling writer and poet Hollie McNish
As the daughter of Oedipus, Antigone was dealt a cruel hand at birth - even within the bounds of Grecian tragedy. When her brothers are slain fighting for the throne of Thebes, Antigone finds herself pitted against her uncle, the newly crowned King Creon. In defiance of the king, Antigone buries her brother's body, a choice she may pay for dearly.
In this new adaptation, we see Sophocles' play reignited by bestselling poet and writer Hollie McNish. Hollie's considered retelling brings Sophocles' original text to a modern-day audience, illuminating the remarkable resemblances between ancient Greek thought and the society we grapple with today.
'[Hollie McNish] writes with honesty, conviction, humour and love . . . She's always been one of my favourites' Kae Tempest
As the daughter of Oedipus, Antigone was dealt a cruel hand at birth - even within the bounds of Grecian tragedy. When her brothers are slain fighting for the throne of Thebes, Antigone finds herself pitted against her uncle, the newly crowned King Creon. In defiance of the king, Antigone buries her brother's body, a choice she may pay for dearly.
In this new adaptation, we see Sophocles' play reignited by bestselling poet and writer Hollie McNish. Hollie's considered retelling brings Sophocles' original text to a modern-day audience, illuminating the remarkable resemblances between ancient Greek thought and the society we grapple with today.
'[Hollie McNish] writes with honesty, conviction, humour and love . . . She's always been one of my favourites' Kae Tempest
160 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2021
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376 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 13, 2025
will keep reading retellings of the og play till i get to be in it (plssss someone do the play and cast me)
October 22, 2021
Hollie McNish's adaptation is 'Antigone' for a 21st century audience.
This is not the Sophoclean play. It is an adaptation. That is made very clear and with praise and reverence shown to the original.
I'm certain there are individuals who would feel that as this is not a translation, as it is not the Sophoclean play in 21st century language, this is not 'Antigone'.
I disagree wholeheartedly, with the caveat that if you enjoyed this adaptation I strongly recommend cracking open some of the Oxford World Classics translations of the ancient plays.
This adaptation moulds the play into one which pulls at the same threads the original did in the minds of the audience. Society, values and time changes. What grabbed the ancient Athenian's attention in these areas we really don't care about. Hollie McNish therefore adapts the scenes, the themes and ever so slightly the overall play to represent the point of this play to the modern audience in themes and visuals that they can understand, get angry about, care about.
Sophocles had Athenians leaving the amphitheatre full of desire to change the way of the world. That is the point of these plays, they are transformative. An ancient tragedy may have been tragic for individuals, but they ALWAYS ended positively for the community.
Hollie McNish, in drawing parallels to terrifyingly similar leaders in moderpolitics, growing on themes of female safety, climate change and the youth vote, creates that same buy in to the point of this play. Readers and audiences alike are pulled into the forward motion of this play and asked again, 2000 years later, would you support the powerful individuals or what you know is right?
I also watched a livestream of this play's first outing at Storyhouse Chester. Exceptional. The power of this play coupled with the power of inclusion and accessibility as all actors present their scenes beautifully through spoken English, BSL and creative captioning simultaneously was a joy and an inspiration. I hope the entertainment industry takes note of what true inclusion looks like: actors and interpreters centre stage, not actors on stage and an interpreter in a dark corner behind a pillar.
This is not the Sophoclean play. It is an adaptation. That is made very clear and with praise and reverence shown to the original.
I'm certain there are individuals who would feel that as this is not a translation, as it is not the Sophoclean play in 21st century language, this is not 'Antigone'.
I disagree wholeheartedly, with the caveat that if you enjoyed this adaptation I strongly recommend cracking open some of the Oxford World Classics translations of the ancient plays.
This adaptation moulds the play into one which pulls at the same threads the original did in the minds of the audience. Society, values and time changes. What grabbed the ancient Athenian's attention in these areas we really don't care about. Hollie McNish therefore adapts the scenes, the themes and ever so slightly the overall play to represent the point of this play to the modern audience in themes and visuals that they can understand, get angry about, care about.
Sophocles had Athenians leaving the amphitheatre full of desire to change the way of the world. That is the point of these plays, they are transformative. An ancient tragedy may have been tragic for individuals, but they ALWAYS ended positively for the community.
Hollie McNish, in drawing parallels to terrifyingly similar leaders in moderpolitics, growing on themes of female safety, climate change and the youth vote, creates that same buy in to the point of this play. Readers and audiences alike are pulled into the forward motion of this play and asked again, 2000 years later, would you support the powerful individuals or what you know is right?
I also watched a livestream of this play's first outing at Storyhouse Chester. Exceptional. The power of this play coupled with the power of inclusion and accessibility as all actors present their scenes beautifully through spoken English, BSL and creative captioning simultaneously was a joy and an inspiration. I hope the entertainment industry takes note of what true inclusion looks like: actors and interpreters centre stage, not actors on stage and an interpreter in a dark corner behind a pillar.
July 3, 2022
Fantastic! I really enjoyed this reimagining of Antigone, Hollie McNish can do no wrong. This has made me want to go read the original again and find more ancient plays to lose myself in. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Hollie adapts more in the future!
April 10, 2022
Thank you to Fleet for a copy of Antigone in exchange for my honest review.
Such a clever adaptation of Antigone. It was not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed this play.
Hollie’s emotive poetry shines through in this play, the dialogue has such a brilliant rhythm- often frustrated/angry which I thought matched the chorus (and probably audience’s) feelings towards Kreon.
If you’re familiar with the original tale then you will see that the story definitely does take lots of inspiration from the original but with Hollie’s added flair and vision for the performance.
Her notes include detailed stage directions, choices of music and extra information to help you really visualise how this play will be performed and helps you see what is going on with the characters’ context.
My rating is really a 3.5 but is personal as it is objectively very good, it’s just not my favourite retelling of this story and it didn’t quite keep me engaged enough for 4. This is personal preference and I still thoroughly recommend it and did still very much enjoy it 😊
Such a clever adaptation of Antigone. It was not what I was expecting but I still really enjoyed this play.
Hollie’s emotive poetry shines through in this play, the dialogue has such a brilliant rhythm- often frustrated/angry which I thought matched the chorus (and probably audience’s) feelings towards Kreon.
If you’re familiar with the original tale then you will see that the story definitely does take lots of inspiration from the original but with Hollie’s added flair and vision for the performance.
Her notes include detailed stage directions, choices of music and extra information to help you really visualise how this play will be performed and helps you see what is going on with the characters’ context.
My rating is really a 3.5 but is personal as it is objectively very good, it’s just not my favourite retelling of this story and it didn’t quite keep me engaged enough for 4. This is personal preference and I still thoroughly recommend it and did still very much enjoy it 😊
January 15, 2023
solid adaptation, potential to be cringe, let’s avoid that!
August 29, 2023
Really like/respect the choices Hollie made in adapting it. Hard to beat the original though, obviously.
December 9, 2021
I absolutely love Hollie McNish's work after reading Slug this year which is easily in my top 10 books of the year. When Fleet asked if I'd be interested in reading a copy of her new adaptation of Antigone I jumped at the chance. I have never read the original Antigone and I've never read any of the original Greek tragedies or plays, as I always felt they were really inaccessible or too 'high-brow' for me. Only recently having watched a lot of @jeansthoughts on YouTube have I considered I shouldn't be so put off.
Still, this adaptation felt like a nice place to start as it brings the play into modern day with more current references and language and McNish makes it entirely accessible for individuals who have never read Greek tragedy before. Whilst still remaining true to the Ancient Greek setting.
For those unfamiliar with the storyline: it follows the daughter of Oedipus, Antigone who was dealt a cruel hand at birth. When her brothers are slain fighting for the throne of Thebes, Antigone finds herself pitted against her uncle, the newly crowned King Creon. In defiance of the king, she buries her brothers body which triggers a chain of tragic events.
The play is sad, as you may expect from a tragedy, but McNish also imbues it with tongue and cheek humour. Drawing on individuals like Donald Trump to inspire her depiction of King Creon. McNish manages to laugh at and allow the reader to draw parallels with power-mad rulers depicted in Ancient Greece and modern times.
McNish also attempts to bring the female characters into a more modern light, whilst still remaining true to their position in Ancient Greece. Antigone has spirit, she talks of her dreams of writing and reading, instead of just marriage and babies. She has a fire and defiance. There is also a humourous nod to the fact women will now be watching (or reading this play).
I really enjoyed this reimagining as it vibed with my values and desires from what I want from a book. I'd thoroughly recommend to everyone as a really accessible way to read a more modern adaptation of Antigone. Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
Still, this adaptation felt like a nice place to start as it brings the play into modern day with more current references and language and McNish makes it entirely accessible for individuals who have never read Greek tragedy before. Whilst still remaining true to the Ancient Greek setting.
For those unfamiliar with the storyline: it follows the daughter of Oedipus, Antigone who was dealt a cruel hand at birth. When her brothers are slain fighting for the throne of Thebes, Antigone finds herself pitted against her uncle, the newly crowned King Creon. In defiance of the king, she buries her brothers body which triggers a chain of tragic events.
The play is sad, as you may expect from a tragedy, but McNish also imbues it with tongue and cheek humour. Drawing on individuals like Donald Trump to inspire her depiction of King Creon. McNish manages to laugh at and allow the reader to draw parallels with power-mad rulers depicted in Ancient Greece and modern times.
McNish also attempts to bring the female characters into a more modern light, whilst still remaining true to their position in Ancient Greece. Antigone has spirit, she talks of her dreams of writing and reading, instead of just marriage and babies. She has a fire and defiance. There is also a humourous nod to the fact women will now be watching (or reading this play).
I really enjoyed this reimagining as it vibed with my values and desires from what I want from a book. I'd thoroughly recommend to everyone as a really accessible way to read a more modern adaptation of Antigone. Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
May 17, 2024
It feels odd rating a millennia-old classic, but my 5 stars is really for Hollie McNish's brilliant, punchy reimagining of this ancient story. Even in the written script alone, the characters of the play were vivid and dynamic in my mind. The dialogue was smooth, cutting, wise and direct. All of the weight of a Greek tragedy was brought to bear for modern readers. It was an absolute joy to read - not because it's a happy story (it's not) but because reading something with such depth and power can only be a joy.
Antigone was truly given her due as a tragic heroine, brimming with energy and raging against injustice with a voice that McNish has perfected for the 21st century: "It's the silence I'm so sick of [...] Silence changes nothing!"
Please read this book.
Antigone was truly given her due as a tragic heroine, brimming with energy and raging against injustice with a voice that McNish has perfected for the 21st century: "It's the silence I'm so sick of [...] Silence changes nothing!"
Please read this book.
December 28, 2021
Loved this. Hilarious and heartbreaking, everything a tragedy should be. Having never read any Sophocles before and thinking I never would as I'd never understand it, I pounced on Hollie McNish's re-telling of this play and it was thrilling. Thank you Hollie for opening up an area of writing I thought always closed to me.
October 14, 2021
This was such an enjoyable read, it really took me by surprise how much I liked it! The only plays I’ve ever read have been for school and so in my head reading plays does not equate to entertainment. Congratulations on changing my mind Hollie. After reading Slug earlier in the year, Hollie quickly became one of my favourite authors and her introduction only reenforced this. She’s so effortlessly funny and relatable, I feel instantly comfortable reading her work. The respect she has for doing justice to this play and Sophocles’ work is tangible and I really loved that aspect. I haven’t read the original but I really liked the actual storyline of the play. My absolute favourite part was Hollie’s notes at the bottom of the pages that provided an insight into her thoughts and the way that it should be read. I genuinely felt like I was watching a live performance. You’ve done it once again, Hollie!
April 27, 2023
I adore this adaptation. Hollie McNish, as we all know, is one of my favourite poets/ writers of all time. Knowing that someone no-nonsense and down to earth was re-writing Antigone, I felt a sigh of relief for non-classically educated people everywhere.
What this adaptation does is precisely that: adapt. The language is more modern but retains the poetic beauty of Sophocles. I was delightfully surprised by Hollie's ability to take really crucial context and transport it into very helpful and non-intimidating notes at the bottom of the page.
Focusing largely on the dynamic between Antigone and Ismene, this version of Antigone, unlike the Roy Williams adaptation of 2014 which I can't stand, retains the power of Sophocles' original. It is focused on sibling grief and a young woman who will do anything to honour the death of her brother, even if it means disobeying the law and rebelling against her own traumatised family.
Bravo Hollie.
What this adaptation does is precisely that: adapt. The language is more modern but retains the poetic beauty of Sophocles. I was delightfully surprised by Hollie's ability to take really crucial context and transport it into very helpful and non-intimidating notes at the bottom of the page.
Focusing largely on the dynamic between Antigone and Ismene, this version of Antigone, unlike the Roy Williams adaptation of 2014 which I can't stand, retains the power of Sophocles' original. It is focused on sibling grief and a young woman who will do anything to honour the death of her brother, even if it means disobeying the law and rebelling against her own traumatised family.
Bravo Hollie.
May 27, 2024
we went to see a bilingual adaptation of this play with my school and it was honestly so good!!! loved how the 'evil' ones like kreon and ismene were speaking french meanwhile the 'good' ones like eamon and antigone were speaking english. really showed how they couldn't understand each other at all, not even through the barriers of language. in french we say 'dialogue de sourds'.
also it was hilarious at times, and even though the comedians weren't very experimented they were still very good. obviously as an actor myself i couldn't help but notice the things i wouldn't have done if that were me but yk, it was still mostly very good.
only wrong side is it made me want to rehearse my lines but it's almost 11 pm😔😔 dur dur la vie de star
also it was hilarious at times, and even though the comedians weren't very experimented they were still very good. obviously as an actor myself i couldn't help but notice the things i wouldn't have done if that were me but yk, it was still mostly very good.
only wrong side is it made me want to rehearse my lines but it's almost 11 pm😔😔 dur dur la vie de star
October 26, 2021
Before yesterday I tended to avoid plays and I hadn't picked one up since I was in secondary school. However after reading Hollie McNish's adaptation of Antigone I found myself loving it and even read the translated original Antigone straight after.
Honestly, Hollie McNish has done a superb job in adapting this original play and has done it justice. Hollie has managed to bring this to modern times, showing how not much has changed in terms of societal matters and the issue of power.
If you're a fan of Greek Tragedy I definitely recommend this one!!
Honestly, Hollie McNish has done a superb job in adapting this original play and has done it justice. Hollie has managed to bring this to modern times, showing how not much has changed in terms of societal matters and the issue of power.
If you're a fan of Greek Tragedy I definitely recommend this one!!
July 27, 2025
i actually love this o many quotable things. it was quite short even for a play but i really like the authors modern take on it it still captured the essence of sophocles original while adding in modern humour and contemporary references. read in one sitting and intend to go back through to highlight !
March 10, 2023
A great read!
Beautifully written, thought provoking adaptation. Heart wrenching in parts. Antigone is a wonderfully strong and inspirational character. Thoroughly enjoyed reading, highly recommended.
Beautifully written, thought provoking adaptation. Heart wrenching in parts. Antigone is a wonderfully strong and inspirational character. Thoroughly enjoyed reading, highly recommended.
February 25, 2024
Do I know what went on in this play? Not really. Did I enjoy reading it anyway? Yes, I did.
I really like Hollie McNish's poetry and enjoyed the notes throughout, telling of her inspiration for parts of this reimagining of Antigone. I was invested in the story throughout.
I really like Hollie McNish's poetry and enjoyed the notes throughout, telling of her inspiration for parts of this reimagining of Antigone. I was invested in the story throughout.
March 22, 2022
a very modern take on one of my favourite greek tragedies. I have had the honour of seeing it performed which took it to a new level.
Read
November 25, 2022McNish’s is adaptation is excellently (and soberingly) relatable to the times we live in.
June 9, 2023
I love the poems written by Hollie McNish and I was curious to see how this adaptation had been written. I found it clever and accessible and very much enjoyed it.
January 28, 2024
Really different and a refreshing change of pace.
February 24, 2024
A poor retelling of a great text.
March 30, 2025
A fantastic, modernised re-imaging of Antigone.
Read
August 8, 2023Not to my taste.
I have 15 versions of Antigone. It’s the greatest play ever written.
This adaptation succeeds only in its aim to annoy people with bourgeois conventions. It sticks two fingers up at comfortable theatrical tradition. And it’s fine to use the word clitoris out of context. Just for the sake of it. I’m all for that. Even pompously, as ‘kleitoris’, to show you’ve done some research. But this version isn’t my cup of tea.
I’m one of those theatre-goers that demands zero sound and zero movement from the audience. The ones that Hollie McNish castigates in her drearily long introduction.
Harold Pinter said that English theatre-goers show their contempt for the theatre by coughing all the time. He said that in European theatres, in France and in the Netherlands, the audience never coughs.
Hey Ho.
Well done Hollie McNish for adapting this great play. I love you. And I love your industry and endeavour. I respect your point of view.
Yes, theatre in Ancient Greece (and in Elizabethan England) was rowdy and bawdy and degenerate. I like to think that we’ve evolved from that.
I’ll stick with my Seamus Heaney version — ‘The Burial at Thebes’. And my countless other traditional translations.
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire” — Gustav Mahler
I have 15 versions of Antigone. It’s the greatest play ever written.
This adaptation succeeds only in its aim to annoy people with bourgeois conventions. It sticks two fingers up at comfortable theatrical tradition. And it’s fine to use the word clitoris out of context. Just for the sake of it. I’m all for that. Even pompously, as ‘kleitoris’, to show you’ve done some research. But this version isn’t my cup of tea.
I’m one of those theatre-goers that demands zero sound and zero movement from the audience. The ones that Hollie McNish castigates in her drearily long introduction.
Harold Pinter said that English theatre-goers show their contempt for the theatre by coughing all the time. He said that in European theatres, in France and in the Netherlands, the audience never coughs.
Hey Ho.
Well done Hollie McNish for adapting this great play. I love you. And I love your industry and endeavour. I respect your point of view.
Yes, theatre in Ancient Greece (and in Elizabethan England) was rowdy and bawdy and degenerate. I like to think that we’ve evolved from that.
I’ll stick with my Seamus Heaney version — ‘The Burial at Thebes’. And my countless other traditional translations.
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire” — Gustav Mahler
December 31, 2023
2.5 Stars.
For full disclosure, I haven’t read the original text, but was familiar with the storylines and themes.
I was disappointed by this adaptation, and felt the themes and characters were never fully fleshed out (with the exception of Ismene & Antingone’s estrangement and Heamon’s fury). I feel that the author stuck with the original themes and characterizations of the work, but her writing didn’t possess the depth assosciated with Sophocles’ story. For example, Kreon’s reversal of decision felt completely unprompted by any new convictions against his original decision. It wasn’t foreshadowed, and it wasn’t effectively explained to what extent his feelings really changed when he changed his mind.
Additionally, I felt the book was overwhelmingly crude and vulgar to the point of being alienating and off-putting to an audience. The jokes about pleasure and anatomy weren’t funny, and felt rather tasteless in the name of reflecting ideals of modern-day sexual liberation.
To McNish’s credit, I could appreciate some of the beauty in her image-evoking, poetic language. The rhyme scheme works. I liked the gossipy nature of the chorus.
Participating in a school production this fall. Hoping I’ll enjoy and/or appreciate this adaptation more once it’s brought to the stage.
Update: Eh. Didn’t change my opinion much.
For full disclosure, I haven’t read the original text, but was familiar with the storylines and themes.
I was disappointed by this adaptation, and felt the themes and characters were never fully fleshed out (with the exception of Ismene & Antingone’s estrangement and Heamon’s fury). I feel that the author stuck with the original themes and characterizations of the work, but her writing didn’t possess the depth assosciated with Sophocles’ story. For example, Kreon’s reversal of decision felt completely unprompted by any new convictions against his original decision. It wasn’t foreshadowed, and it wasn’t effectively explained to what extent his feelings really changed when he changed his mind.
Additionally, I felt the book was overwhelmingly crude and vulgar to the point of being alienating and off-putting to an audience. The jokes about pleasure and anatomy weren’t funny, and felt rather tasteless in the name of reflecting ideals of modern-day sexual liberation.
To McNish’s credit, I could appreciate some of the beauty in her image-evoking, poetic language. The rhyme scheme works. I liked the gossipy nature of the chorus.
Participating in a school production this fall. Hoping I’ll enjoy and/or appreciate this adaptation more once it’s brought to the stage.
Update: Eh. Didn’t change my opinion much.
December 29, 2023
My first time reading Antigone in any form, it didn't dissapoint.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews