BAFTA and Academy Award-winning actress Juliette Binoche takes the lead role in Ivo Van Hove’s production of Antigone at the Barbican Theatre.

The production charts the story of the title character whose dead brother, condemned as a traitor, is denied the right to a burial and left unburied on the battlefield. Defying her governing uncle, Antigone puts personal allegiance over politics and goes ahead with her brother’s funeral, an act that will eventually lead to her own demise.

The acclaimed French actress returns to the Barbican’s stage following her debut at the venue in 2012’s Mademoiselle Julie. Best known for her leading film roles, which include A Thousand Times Goodnight, The English Patient and Chocolat, Binoche made her London stage debut in Naked at the Almeida Theatre in 1998. She has since notched up a string of theatre credits including her Tony Award nominated performance in Betrayal on Broadway and collaborative dance piece in-i at the National Theatre.

Translated by TS Eliot Prize-winning poet Anne Carson, this production of Sophocles’ classic play is directed by Van Hove, who enjoyed recent success with his acclaimed production of A View From The Bridge starring Mark Strong and Nicola Walker. The Belgian director returns to the Barbican Theatre following his work on six-hour Shakespeare epic Roman Tragedies and his 2013 production of Scenes From A Marriage.

Please note, this production is suitable for individuals aged 12 and older.