South Africa 1973, Robben Island, the top security prison where Nelson Mandela was held.

John and Winston are sharing a cell. They survive through a mixture of bickering, laughter and storytelling. They are preparing a production of Antigone for the other prisoners, but Winston has trouble remembering the lines and isn’t sure he wants to play Antigone. The two men’s sense of brotherhood has kept them going for years, then John hears that he’s going to be released…

One of the most famous plays of the second half of the 20th Century, The Island is a rich, boisterous, funny, moving piece of theatre, it is a hymn to the human spirit and a cry for freedom everywhere.

Elysium Theatre Company (www.elysiumtc.co.uk) is an award-winning theatre company that brings great theatre to the North. Our last two tours, A Doll’s House and Reiver, sold out across the North East last year.

The Island completes our Fugard Trilogy, which included Playland and Hello And Goodbye.