The Defiant One: Antigone’s Choice

A powerful story making its debut on the Korean stage.

The war has ended.
Antigone’s two brothers have fallen in battle—one honored as a hero and laid to rest with a state funeral, the other condemned as a traitor, left unburied as food for the birds.
By royal decree, anyone who dares to bury him will face death.
But Antigone refuses to stand by.
Driven by her convictions, she defies the law, setting off a storm that pits morality against authority, the individual against the state.

Antigoneis a timeless work, continuously reinterpreted across different eras and cultures.

In 1944, during the height of World War II, French playwright Jean Anouilh reimagined the classic Greek tragedy, sharpening the conflict between oppression and resistance, power and personal belief.

This production breaks conventional staging, unfolding like a rehearsal room where the process of theater-making itself is revealed. A shifting stage, mirrors expanding the space, intricate costumes, and dramatic lighting add depth to the narrative, while the actors’ raw intensity holds the center.

Antigone chooses defiance, while Ismene chooses survival.
Who do we stand with?
Even after the final curtain falls, this question lingers.

Beit Lessin Theater: The Heart of Israeli Theater

Beit Lessin Theater, one of Israel’s leading cultural institutions, is at the forefront of contemporary Israeli theater. Located in the heart of Tel Aviv, it has become a hub for innovation, showcasing diverse voices and perspectives that reflect Israeli society.

Since the 1990s, under the artistic direction of Tzipi Pines, Beit Lessin has evolved into a major center for new Israeli drama. It actively supports emerging artists through initiatives like the Open Stage Festival, providing a platform for fresh talent and experimental works.

With cutting-edge technology and innovative theater design, Beit Lessin offers an immersive experience to its audiences, attracting over 850,000 spectators annually. The theater’s repertoire spans from contemporary musicals and groundbreaking new plays to bold reinterpretations of classical masterpieces, keeping pace with global theatrical trends.

Beyond performance, Beit Lessin is committed to shaping the future of Israeli theater through its playwriting school, fostering creativity and diversity in the performing arts.

At the 2025 Busan International Performing Arts Festival (BIPAF), Beit Lessin Theater presents "Antigone,"a timeless classic reimagined with a modern sensibility, delivering a powerful theatrical experience that reaffirms the enduring impact of the stage.