Antigone1989
A Town Hall Musical
5–29 August 2026 · 15:05
Other Yin · Gilded Balloon Patter House · Edinburgh Fringe
Venue, Dates & Tickets
Venue
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin · Edinburgh
Dates
5–29 August 2026
No shows 17 & 24 Aug
Time
15:05–16:05
Daily · 60 min, no interval
Tickets
From £9
Age 12+
Previews (5–7 Aug) £9 · Midweek £12.50 (£11.50 conc.) · Weekends £13 (£12 conc.) · 2-for-1 on 10 & 11 Aug.
Be in the room where change happens.
Book at Gilded BalloonAlso on sale via Edinburgh Fringe.
The Cast
A dynamic company of bold music-theatre performers brings Thebes, California to life. Click on their image to learn more.
The Creative Team
The artists building Thebes, California — from page to score to stage. Click on their image to learn more.
From the Production
Real stills from the company — the protest, the grief, the defiance. This is Thebes, California. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Production photography by Geovanny Soto.
Watch / Listen
Hear the studio recording of “In the Light” and get a feel for the staging before you book — more clips drop on the road to Edinburgh.
In the Light — Studio Session
Step inside the studio with the cast as they record “In the Light,” written by Chris Rayis for Antigone 1989 — filmed during a session in Elon University’s Live Room, Studio C, at the Arts West Music Facility.
- Featuring
- Jonah Uffelman, Elliot Choate, Trevor Hudson, Sierra Safran, Emmalynn Bruce, Victoria Martinez & Elliot Sullivan
- Production Crew
- Videography & editing by Geovanny Soto (artbysoto.com). Audio engineering by Carey Harwood.
News
Named a Top 10 show to see at Edinburgh Fringe 2026
Theatre Village picks Antigone 1989 among its Top 10 must-see shows of the Fringe — “ancient tragedy, town hall democracy and a musical score.” Read the list.
BroadwayWorld · May 2026Antigone 1989 to premiere at Edinburgh Fringe
BroadwayWorld covers Elizabeth McKoy's world premiere and the powerhouse creative team behind the show. Read the feature.
Interview · June 2026In conversation with Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara
Assistant Director Tanaka Dunbar Ngwara on placing Sophocles inside the AIDS crisis and treating theatre as a town hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Antigone 1989 about?+
It's a bold new one-act musical that relocates Sophocles' Antigone to 1989 Thebes, California. When two brothers are killed after a protest, the state honours one and erases the other — and a defiant sister refuses to stay silent. It's a razor-sharp story about resistance, identity, and the cost of standing your ground.
Is it a musical?+
Yes — a fully sung-and-staged new musical with an original score by Chris Rayis that pulses between grief and joy, a book by Ken Cerniglia, and direction by Elizabeth McKoy.
How long is the show?+
About 60 minutes, performed as a single act with no interval.
Where and when can I see it?+
At Other Yin, Gilded Balloon Patter House (3 Chambers Street, Edinburgh), as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 5–29 August 2026 at 15:05 daily. Please note there are no performances on 17 and 24 August.
How much are tickets and how do I book?+
Tickets start from £9 for previews (5–7 Aug), with midweek shows £12.50 (£11.50 concession) and weekends £13 (£12 concession); 10 and 11 August are 2-for-1. Book via the Edinburgh Fringe box office using the Book Now button at the top of this page.
What age is it suitable for?+
The Edinburgh Fringe listing recommends ages 12 and up.
Is there anything I should know before attending?+
The show includes audience participation and contains distressing or potentially triggering themes — political violence, protest, grief, and LGBTQ+ themes. For specific content guidance or accessibility needs, please contact the Gilded Balloon box office.
Press, media & producing enquiries?+
For press, media, and review-ticket requests, contact our PR lead Mel Brown at mel@impressivepr.com. For UK producing enquiries, contact our UK producer Frodo Allan at frodo@rhymeswithpurple.net.