Antigone, an adaptation of Sophocles's classic produced in the context of the anti-fascist French resistance, is Anouilh's most often-produced work today.  Antigone premiered in Paris in 1944, but Anouilh had written his tale of lone rebellion against the state two years earlier, inspired by an act of resistance during Paris's occupation by the Nazis.  In August 1942, a young man named Paul Collette fired at and wounded a group of directors during a meeting of the collaborationist Légion des volontaires français.  Collette did not belong to a Resistance network or organized political group, but acted entirely alone and in full knowledge of his certain death.  For Anouilh, Collette's solitary act—at once heroic, gratuitous, and futile—captured the essence of tragedy and demanded an immediate revival of Antigone.  Aware of Anouilh's thinly veiled attack on the Vichy government, the Nazis censored Antigone immediately upon its release. It premiered two years later at the Théâtre de l'Atelier in Paris under the direction of André Barsacq, a few months before Paris' liberation.  The play starred Valentin as the doomed princess, and soon assumed canonical status in modern French theatre.

Back to the rest of The Festival ! It opens with the topical A Peace of History written by Lurgan playwright Raymond Murray and performed by Clann Eireann Amateur Drama Group, of that town.

Sunday evening’s play, presented by Kilrush Drama Group of Wexford is A & E by Henry Hudson. I know nothing of this play – except that the group are simultaneously presenting it on the professional circuit – and that it “may be unsuitable for children”. Such warning is necessary in Lislea where people tend to bring the whole family to the theatre! I will try to catch this one too!

The second weekend’s fare includes Newmarket, of Cork doing John B Keane’s Moll (Saturday) and then (Sunday) Glen Pantomine Group’s presentation of Armand Gaillard’s Love Knows no Right of Way, which took the runners-up spot at Lislea in 2000 when it was performed by Stageaid of Gilford. It was written by the latter group’s director.

The final weekend sees the home side performing The Odd Couple by Neil Simon (Friday) and (Saturday,) Backburners of Newtownstewart performing Martin McDonagh’s Beauty Queen of Leenane.   You know the former from the TV series and the latter from my earlier review.

The Festival closes with Them  (7.30) by Tom Coffey performed by the Creggan Drama Circle, Co Tyrone.  This is a traditional Irish play which has featured before at Lislea.

Season tickets are a snip at £27 (less than £3.50 a night) and nightly admission is just £5 (children £3). For enquiries ring 838565.