The production, which opens tonight, is directed and produced by a 17-year-old student at Chenderit School.

A Grade I listed church in Middleton Cheney has been transformed into a theatre for local Chenderit School students, who are bringing an almost 2,500-year-old Greek tragedy to life.

All Saints Church was converted into an intimate performance space on Sunday, November 8, after the Remembrance Sunday service. Students, staff and supporters installed staging, seating and technical equipment, with the first rehearsal taking place the following day.

The production, which opens on Thursday, (November 12) to a sold-out audience, is The Burial at Thebes: Sophocles’ Antigone, Seamus Heaney’s translation of the ancient Greek tragedy.

Directed and produced by 17-year-old student William Harding, the show involves 21 students, including 15 performers from Years 10 to 13 and a five-person creative team.

The production uses a traverse layout, with audience members seated on two sides facing one another across the performance space. Actors move between them, placing spectators close to the action.

The play follows Antigone, who defies King Creon’s order that her brother Polyneices must remain unburied. Her actions spark a confrontation between personal conscience and political authority, exploring justice, family, loyalty and leadership.

William believes the church’s associations with faith, ritual and moral responsibility will provide a fitting setting for a story about the conflict between human law and higher moral or divine duty.

The project was supported by All Saints Church and churchwardens Mike Wilks and Bridget Robb. Gareth Davies provided technical help and lent equipment, while Thomas Mason-Smith and Dragonfly Lighting loaned a haze machine. Students, teachers and volunteers also helped prepare the building.

William said: “I am beyond excited to show audiences what we have been working on for the last few months. This idea has existed in my head since December last year, and it is an absolute dream come true for that vision to have been realised with such support from the local community and Chenderit School.”

Students have taken on roles in directing, design, technical theatre, publicity and production management, as well as performing.

Further performances will take place at All Saints Church on Friday, November 13, at 4.30pm and 7.30pm. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.

For ticket information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ThebesTickets