A MODERN interpretation of an ancient Greek myth is being performed in Stratford next week.

Death, drama and moral dilemma is being promised in Antigone, being staged by Second Thoughts Drama Group at the Civic Hall from July 16 to 20.

The play was written by French dramatist Jean Anouilh in 1944 where it caused a controversy in German-occupied Paris, dealing with questions of personal loyalties in conflict with authority.

It tells the story of Antigone, daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, who risks her life to defend the honour of her two brothers who have died on opposite sides of a civil war. One is to be buried with honour and the other left to rot on the battlefield. Will Antigone defy the ruler of Thebes to give her brother a proper burial?

Second Thoughts, an amateur group formed 20 years ago, has performed at the Edinburgh Festival, the RSC's Swan Theatre and abroad and has as its patron RSC actor David Bradley as its patron, now famous as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films.

Antigone is being directed by Brian John Emeney and is set in the 1960s.

Brian said: "Antigone is a play which is full of dilemmas, and the audience will find it hard to decide whose side to take. This is a challenging play which will have audiences questioning our notions of right and wrong long after they have left the theatre."

He added: "The 1960s were turbulent times in their own right - the Vietnam conflict, the Cold War, assassinations and overthrown governments (Greece included). It was a time when we all lived under the threat of nuclear annihilation. It was the age of the birth control pill and women's liberation. It was both awesome and sublime, which is really the play in a nutshell."

Antigone runs from July 16-20 at 7.30pm at Stratford Civic Hall. For tickets, call the box office on 01789 414513.