Mutual derivation of life and art often defines the actuality of artwork. A choice of directors to stage this or that play depends on its connection with the present day and, therefore, spectators’ interest. It is natural, that Sophocles “Antigone”, performed by Paata Tsikolia in  Music and Drama Theatre, is a part  of this discourse.

The director properly estimated the main reasons causing the present problems. He considered that the theme of power and tyranny  implying depreciation  of a person and his values, was the basic among them.

P. Tsikolia’s “Antigone” is a deliberate and conceptually grounded performance, the director manages to introduce a modern background and lightness into the antique theme by means of number of scenes.

The opposing parties are outlined. Kreon (A. Begalishvili) enters the conflict on behalf of citizens and state interests, and Antigone (A. Tsereteli) – on behalf of Gods and traditional values, among them the family and the deceased respect. During this conflict both heroes endure transformation, that is successfully depicted by the artists.

In the performance the antique text is presented not by typical for Aristotle “mimesis” method, but by the principle of “open play”, when an artist not only reflects reality, but expresses his own attitude to it. This is manifested by the musical illustration as well, when the classical opera aria is replaced by pop music, not original, but its grotesque version, the original music is also applied (composer Archil Giorgiobiani). Such musical play makes it funny to consider serious matters, thus the performance genre can’t be a tragedy any more. Probably, the performance staging group can’t be the first among those, who presents inadequacy of high tragedy genre with the present life.