Antigone has always fascinated me as a character. She’s a girl trapped within the conventions of a conservative culture where women do not enjoy the same rights as men, and she says no to a king. She fearlessly speaks truth to power knowing full well the consequences of this action. She knows she will be killed, but she speaks out anyway. She’s the first character in western theatre to do this, and she’s a sixteen-year-old girl. She’s breathtaking.

Actor and writer Elena Carapetis, whose Antigone will open at State Theatre Company South Australia in May 2022. Photo © Matt Byrne.

Actor and writer Elena Carapetis, whose Antigone will open at State Theatre Company South Australia in May 2022. Photo © Matt Byrne.

There seem to be a lot of Antigones in the world right now, young people screaming out to the grown-ups in charge that they are making a mess of the world and that they need to do better. People like Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai and X Gonzalez. Sadly, despite all of their impressive passion and brilliant intentions, our admiration for their bravery wears off and the world goes back to...