The Island

A Chipping Norton Theatre and Dukes Lancaster production, this powerful drama of defiance and determination is set on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years and is based on the true story of two inmates performing Antigone, the great classical play of political protest.

As John and Winston prepare for the performance with the limited contents of their cell, they debate the merits of their protest and the tension of the uneasy relationship increases when one man finds out he may be granted early release.

The Island, written by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona was first produced in 1973 under a different title as, for many years, it was forbidden to even mention Robben Island, such was the reputation of its prison.