Aristophanes - Lysistrata (two scenes)

These are the only video clips I have of this play

from an anonymous translation (rumored to be Oscar Wilde), Athenian Society, London 1912

performed by Bretton Hall School of Dance and Theatre, UK

Lysistrata - Claire Naylor
Lampito - Naomi Everett
Calonice - Elanor Aldous
Myrhine - Lara Bradban
Cinesias - Brian Bullaman

directed by John Northcote and Linda Taylor. Produced by Arthur Pritchard. Directed for televison by Duncan Foster

Only a few months after this play was first performed, democracy in Aristophanes' Athens was overthrown and dictators took hold. Democracy did return later, but those regimes (such as Cleophon's) were marred by the very sort of deficiencies Aristophanes mocks in his plays. Aristophanes would have loved many aspects of American democracy, particulariy it's Constitution protecting minority rights, and especially the carefully designed checks and balances that promote sluggish policy change--very different from the radical and rash actions characteristic of Athenian democracy.

This play was performed not long after the disatrous Syracuse expedition, where many of these women lost their sons, brothers, fathers and husbands--futile rotting deaths in a stone pit far away from home. Radical action needed to stop this madness.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Aristophanes
• Lysistrata
• ancient-greece
• Greek-comedy
• play
• theatre
• mask

[whakaponoful]

Lysistrata is suppose to be a ridiculously hilarious play. This wasn't funny at all.

[SilverPinions]

The old Penguin version of Lysistrata I have edited out all the fucks, dildoes, cocks and cunts. They're just words in a magnificent play. Fuck you political correctness, I want my filth back. -.-

[Lynntoni1]

This is seriously dull! Where is the racy dynamic? Tame... sounds like third year students trying to impress the voice coach. Urghggggggggg

LT

[Floodlezoot]

it's weird how the theatre seems so highbrow now, but it's origins were sausage and dildo jokes. penises, and loud farts. These were the things that inspired the masses, and packed the amphitheatres!

[virginiareina]

I'm confused ... the main speaker is obviously Lysistrata, but I swear she's saying some of Myrrhine's and Lampito's lines?

[reesbanger]

this has helped with my drama A levels! thanks!

[nokomarie1963]

Dear old Oscar, always trying to shock.