LYSISTRATA

(Tsepiso Secker as Lysistrata with Deputy Head George Niven who plays the Magistrate)

The Theatre-St Anne’s College in association with Maritzburg College presents Lysistrata, a Greek comedy by Aristophanes

Lysistrata, was written in 412 BC and produced the following year at the great Athenian festival of Dionysos. It was composed less than a year after Athens had learned of the failure of the great Sicilian Expedition; a military disaster which ultimately led to the end of Athenian civilization. It is notable among war plays for the courage with which the poet faces that despair and bravely disguises itself as fun via the women of the warring nations going on a marital strike to restore peace.

While his idea might seem absurd or preposterous, Aristophanes approaches it with serious intent, and disguises it as a dreamlike and marvellous farce to avoid being lynched by the authorities. Lysistrata is essentially an anti-war play, and while it dabbles with an illustrious game between the sexes, it points to the power of women to unite and stand up against injustice, in the pursuit of peace.

The notion of with-holding sex is not new in politics, particularly in Africa. In societies and communities where women are uneducated and have no power or authority in governing structures, with-holding sex has been used through history to take a stand against injustice.

Only recently, women’s activist groups in Kenya called for a seven-day sex ban on the country’s men in an attempt to shock the political class into overcoming their constant feuding. “This is a national boycott to show that women of this country have resolved to push for reforms,” says Rukia Subow, chair-woman of Maendeleo ya Wanawake of the G10 umbrella of Kenyan women’s organisations. The premier’s wife, Ida Odinga, said she supported the strike body and soul. “This should not be seen as punishment to men, it is a measure that is aimed at drawing their attention to the real issues.” (Witness, pg. 1)

Lysistrata has been staged in ancient Greek style. The backdrop has been constructed in the form of the traditional skene, and the male and female chorus groups operate as independent commentators on the action, speaking and moving in unison groups, and in a combination of rhyme and song. True to Greek form, the action is accompanied by a live percussionist, and the costuming follows traditional patterns and styles. The production should give Dramatic Arts learners a good example of traditional Greek staging, form and style. It also promises to be entertaining.

The play is directed by Lynn Chemaly with production design by Brian McFall, set painting by Karin Davel, costuming by Marjorie Wilford and live percussion by Bernard Kisbey-Green.

Lysistrata runs at The Theatre-St Anne’s College in Hilton from March 12 to 16 at 19h30. Tickets R50 (R35 concessions) booked on 033 343 6100.