on drinking Bombay Sapphire and Indian Tonic before seeing Antigone.

On drinking Bombay Sapphire, Indian Tonic Water and Antigone at the Mercury Theatre Colchester on a cold, grey, day in October. 

A mythological elephant stood guard between the Theatre and the town on one side, a gappy Roman wall on the other. We were sheltered from the storm, or so we thought. 

Dual storms raged, both on stage (at the Mercury Theatre) and in my heart. The former was part of the tragedy which has been Antigone since Sophocles wrote it in, or about, 442 BC (or BCE if you understand what that is). The Latter was on experiencing the absolute vision who is the amazing actor who played Antigone (none other than poster girl Adeloa Yemitan). It is she who Eros dangled before me to adore, to cherish and ultimately to part from in those seemingly short minutes of the play's performance. 

Antigone is billed as a tragedy, although it has all the ingredients of a family drama. Wicked aunty, rebellious niece who is partnered with wicked aunty's son, her cousin in other words, a devoted sister and dead brother. That is not to mention a family history of patricide, inscest and suicide. 

All this is somewhat hinted at in Merlynn Tong's brilliant adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone. All this drama and singing too. Although, technically, this production isn't a musical, it does have some incredible singing by Antigone's sister (Ismene, played by songstress Francesca Amewudah-Rivers). 

Like the magician his name hints at Mr Tong has woven a fresh narrative from the ancient Greek tragedy and, along with a very strong cast, brilliant direction, an imposing (virtually Art Brut) stage setting, exquisite sound and lighting we the onlookers were stunned in our seats, believing every word and action. 

To top it all, this was live Theatre not, hold on can we go again, television or film. The cast had to memorise all that action and lines. I was agog with the lengthy speeches, the passion and the production. I especially appreciated this as a man who, as a youth, couldn't remember his lines as a court usher in Toad of Toad Hall.