Angelica Films & Nevision to Produce Pale Sister

Angelica Films, an All3Media company, and the London-based independent producer Nevision are co-producing Pale Sister, to be presented as part of BBC Lights Up.

Written by author Colm Tóibín for actress Lisa Dwan, the play reimagines Sophocles’ Greek tragedy of Antigone from the point of view of her sister, Ismene. Pale Sister follows Ismene as she recounts her sister’s infamous defiance of their uncle, the king of Thebes, and decides what to do as the pressure mounts on the timid young woman to act.

Angelica and Nevision are producing the special in association with Riverside Studios for BBC Lights Up, a major festival of U.K. theater adapted for TV and radio. Airing on March 30 on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer, the 75-minute one-woman play is executive produced by Sally Angel for Angelica Films; Anne Morrison, Nevision’s creative director for factual; and Emma Cahusac for BBC Arts.

Dwan said: “Antigone has always been read as a parable about what happens when a woman speaks truth to power. Pale Sister asks the question of all of us today ‘Who are we if we are not Antigone?’”

Cahusac said: “BBC Lights Up is a major broadcast season celebrating the creativity and resilience of U.K. theater, and I am delighted that Pale Sister has been filmed for BBC Four and iPlayer. The combined talents of Lisa Dwan, Colm Tóibín and Sir Trevor Nunn is a real treat for BBC audiences around the country, who will soon have access to this exceptional production.”

Angel added: “Colm Tóibín’s play, exploring the timeless struggles of women to find the courage to speak up, is a crucial contribution to the Arts at this time. Angelica Films is delighted to bring this exceptional piece to the screen together with Lisa Dwan, Sir Trevor Nunn, BBC Arts and Nevision. BBC Arts’ commitment to culture during the pandemic has created opportunities for new, hybrid forms of theatre and Angelica is thrilled to build on our experience having co-produced Sonia Friedman’s Uncle Vanya for BBC Four last year.”

Morrison said: “Pale Sister is a dynamic piece of theatre which is timely and holds a contemporary relevance, highlighting the power of protest and women’s continued struggle and courage in standing up to harsh and wilful male authority.”