THE month of August promises to be a special one for the Malvern Theatres Young Company.

Not only will they be presenting Sophocles’s Antigone at the Festival Theatre from August 8 to 10, they will then head north to make their debut at the Edinburgh Fringe for six performances at theSpace on the Mile (venue 39).

Demonstrating the clash and interweaving of human passions and failings, this production of Sophocles’ deeply poetic tragedy promises to bring into focus the timeless conflict between the needs of the individual and those of the state.

The story of one sister’s loyalty to both her brothers, regardless of their acts or opposing political beliefs, Antigone is one of the most consistently popular plays in the history of drama.


Malvern Theatres Young Company was formed in 2012 by director Nic Lloyd with the aim of giving aspiring young performers aged 16-24 the opportunity to work in a professional theatre environment.

It has been praised for its outstanding drama and storytelling and for the way it brings narratives to life with dynamism and poignancy.

Emily Henry (Antigone) and Toby Burchell (Creon) return following their “moving and convincing” (behindthearras.com) performances as Elizabeth and John Proctor in last year’s production of The Crucible.

Nic Lloyd, who is also chief executive at Malvern Theatres, said: “I’ve always been fascinated by Greek drama and particularly by Sophocles’ poetic tragedy Antigone. I’m delighted to be working with this exceptional group of young actors as they seek to illuminate the play’s universal themes, in particular the timeless conflict between the individual and the state”.

Admission to the show will be free, but donations would be welcome in support of future Malvern Theatres projects.

The company will make its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe from Monday, August 13 to Saturday, August 18.