Virtuous Sister
FTER the solemnities of orthodox translations, the modern colloquial version of Sophocles’ Antigone (BBC cr —
World Theatre, 1YC), by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald, sounded at first almost too chatty... But as this fine production strode onwards, I found not only that I became attuned to an idiom capable of dignity, especially in the choruses, as well as of intimacy, but also that the play came across with new power. What a great drama it is, and how permanently true are the human values it enunciates! In midtwentieth century, we can appreciate as fully as could the Greeks, the corruption of power and the inability of the tyrant to destroy the free spirit. It is no wonder that the classically-minded French adapted Antigone more than once to express the mood of the Occupation, I found the BBC performances theroughly satisfying. Dorothy Gerdon made a strong, believable Antigone, and that splendid old trouper, Leon Quartermaine, chilled the heart as Teresias. It was with particular pleasure and a little surprise that I learnt from the final announcement that Creon had been played by Michael Hordern, whose films had not prepared me for such a powerful performance, In such dramas, the BBC is incomparable.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19571004.2.42.3
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 947, 4 October 1957, Page 24
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203Virtuous Sister New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 947, 4 October 1957, Page 24
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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