2008 Woodie Awards
Peace on Earth, but without sex?
E-52's 'Lysistrata' practices new-found abstinence to stop a war
Kaitlyn Kilmetis
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Online
As a line of ancient Greek soldiers cross the stage with massive erections protruding from under their togas as they search for their stubborn wives to plead for sex, audience members realize "Lysistrata: A Woman's Translation" is no ordinary play.
Upon first glance, "Lysistrata," which is being performed by the E-52 Student Theatre group, appears to be a straightforward and lighthearted comedy, but after delving deeper into the play, that same audience member uncovers a stockpile of social commentary on gender, society and the institution of war.
The play is based on the heroine Lysistrata's attempt to end the Peloponnesian war. By urging Greek women to withhold sex from the soldiers, Lysistrata hopes the lack of sex will cause the men to resolve their conflicts and return home in order to regain their sexual privileges.
In recent years, "Lysistrata" has emerged in popularity due to the fact that many perceive the play to parallel aspects of the War in Iraq.
Senior Cara Gallagher, director of Lysistrata, says though she did not decide to perform the play as a means to comment on the War in Iraq, she knows that there is no getting around this comparison.
" 'Lysistrata' was not to chosen in order to make a political statement but rather because it is a ridiculously funny play," Gallagher says.
She says though a play with such strong commentary on war was not chosen deliberately, the social connotations of "Lysistrata" in terms of war are hard for viewers to ignore.
" 'Lysistrata' laughs in the face of all the people that believe that war is justified," Gallagher says.
As the title indicates, "Lysistrata: A Woman's Translation" is strongly based around the idea of feminism. She says "Lysistrata" is a celebration of the female spirit and the triumph of the intellectual strength of women over man's physical strength.
Gallagher says "Lysistrata" is about female empowerment, however, it negatively portrays men.
Upon first glance, "Lysistrata," which is being performed by the E-52 Student Theatre group, appears to be a straightforward and lighthearted comedy, but after delving deeper into the play, that same audience member uncovers a stockpile of social commentary on gender, society and the institution of war.
The play is based on the heroine Lysistrata's attempt to end the Peloponnesian war. By urging Greek women to withhold sex from the soldiers, Lysistrata hopes the lack of sex will cause the men to resolve their conflicts and return home in order to regain their sexual privileges.
In recent years, "Lysistrata" has emerged in popularity due to the fact that many perceive the play to parallel aspects of the War in Iraq.
Senior Cara Gallagher, director of Lysistrata, says though she did not decide to perform the play as a means to comment on the War in Iraq, she knows that there is no getting around this comparison.
" 'Lysistrata' was not to chosen in order to make a political statement but rather because it is a ridiculously funny play," Gallagher says.
She says though a play with such strong commentary on war was not chosen deliberately, the social connotations of "Lysistrata" in terms of war are hard for viewers to ignore.
" 'Lysistrata' laughs in the face of all the people that believe that war is justified," Gallagher says.
As the title indicates, "Lysistrata: A Woman's Translation" is strongly based around the idea of feminism. She says "Lysistrata" is a celebration of the female spirit and the triumph of the intellectual strength of women over man's physical strength.
Gallagher says "Lysistrata" is about female empowerment, however, it negatively portrays men.
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