What still makes Lysistrata so topical? 2,400 years after its inception, Aristophanes' play is still topical and entertaining. Sex and war just never seem to die. What does this play teach contemporary audiences?

Author: Ariela Yomtovian

"Let's talk about penises," said Assistant Professor of Theatre and Director of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" Claudio Medeiros '90 as he discussed the play at a preview lunch this past Monday.

Performed for the first time around 410 BCE, "Lysistrata" takes place in Athens during the Peloponnesian War. It is the story of a group of women, led by Lysistrata, who decide to go on a sex strike until a treaty of peace is signed between the Athenians and the Spartans to end the fighting. In simpler terms, "Lysistrata" is a "make love, not war" play, said Medeiros.

This question of "how to approach the idea of war" has been a great challenge for Medeiros during the rehearsal process. Paralleling many of the same problems that face contemporary society, "Lysistrata" is a bold attempt to get people thinking about conflict and peace.

Assembled with the assistance of Associate Professor of Classics Pavlos Sfyroeras, the two choruses guide the audience along in facilitating engagement with the play's serious as well as playful subject matter, while also encouraging interaction with the cast. The audience is a vital part of the performance as the cast frequently breaks down the fourth wall as they escort viewers through this battle of the sexes. Sfyroeras admitted that though "the chorus is the biggest challenge in the Greek comedy" it also forms "a crucial part of the production."

Another difficult aspect of this play was costume designer Amanda Mitchell's '08 struggle with the creation of visual effective yet not offensive "penis costumes," and the fitting and construction of masks for the chorus. Not only intricate in construction, the masks also manifest the complex relationship faced by chorus leaders Rishhabh Kashyap '08 and Justine Katzenbach '08 in finding a balance between being one person as well as being part of unified group.

The distinctive language of Lysistrata also adds an additional element to this play, making it stand out from other performances that have taken place at the College. According to Willie Orbison '08, who plays the role of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the show is "full of alliteration and tongue twister after tongue twister."

Lysistrata will be performed in the Seeler Studio Theatre Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Though all five shows are sold out, Medeiros does not want anyone to be discouraged from coming. By calling on the day of the performance or placing your name on a waiting list, persistence will get you in to what seems like a one-of-a-kind performance.