Inflatable penises with faces, whips, sexual innuendos, horniness and abstinence formed the comedic foundation of Creative Drama & Arts’ latest production, Lysistrata. Beneath the outrageous humour was an honest reflection on war and the societal roles women can be confined to, presented with artistic flair and confidence.
Performed over three days at Doncaster Playhouse, the Greek Community of Melbourne’s production was directed by Jeremy Artis and produced by Creative Drama & Arts Coordinator Katerina Poutachidou.
First staged in Athens in early 411 BCE, Lysistrata by Aristophanes follows its titular character as she joins forces with other women to end the Peloponnesian War through an unconventional act of resistance: a sex strike. By denying the men of the warring factions the thing they most desire, the women force them to confront the futility of conflict.
This production used the translation of Greek theatre director and translator Minos Volanakis. The team had long admired the work.
The performance was delivered entirely in Greek with English subtitles from Ioanna Kothroula projected on the wall behind the actors, resulting in an accessible theatrical experience for both Greek-speaking audiences and non-Greek-speaking audiences.
Coordinator Ms Poutachidou spoke to The Greek Herald about the relevance of presenting Lysistrata against today’s backdrop.
“Lysistrata remains explosively relevant because it brings together, in a single dramatic gesture, the anti-war message of a world exhausted by conflict; the power of collective action to change reality; female agency demanding a voice and equality; the satire of power that exposes political incompetence; and, above all, the need for clear thinking in the face of absurdity,” she said.
With a cast of 10 talented performers, the production rarely missed a beat. Actors involved were Maria Bakalidou, Efrosyni Theodosiou, Pam Pollali, Athina Giannou, Yakinthi Makka, Syrmo Kapoutsi, Rita Makarouna, Niki Skouri, Lemonia Schoina, and Nikos Veligkos.
Their comedic timing was consistently sharp, with on-stage banter leaving the audience with tears of laughter. All actors played multiple roles, marked by changes in costume and wigs, and moved seamlessly between absurd comedy and incisive commentary on war, power and the role of women in society.
Cooking. Cleaning. Sewing. These are the narrow roles women have historically been expected to fulfil. Through its comic lens, Lysistrata unpacks the sexual hierarchies and female agency while exposing the stereotypes and limitations imposed on women for centuries.
Although set in Ancient Greece, the play’s modern take on this story has never been more relevant to today’s current climate. Ongoing conflicts around the world have left many feeling pessimistic about what the future holds and questioning the role individuals can play as violence continues to unfold.
This production offers a ray of optimism, urging its spectators not to lose hope in the face of war and division. These messages are scattered like breadcrumbs throughout the performance, emerging between its daring, overtly sexual and laugh-out-loud moments.
The Creative Drama & Arts team also brought their own touch to the classic text by incorporating excerpts from famous texts about war and peace from Arundhati Roy, Virginia Woolf, Malala Yousafzai and Charlie Chaplin during key moments of the production.
The show concluded with the cast performing ‘Let the Dances Last’ by Dionysis Savvopoulos, inviting audience members to sing along, reinforcing the play’s message of unity and collective action.
This modern interpretation of Lysistrata was thoughtful, provocative and hilariously outrageous, with never a dull moment. It successfully bridged the wartime anxieties of Ancient Greece with the uncertainties of the present day, proving why Aristophanes’ classic remains as relevant as ever.
*All photos by Antonios Baxevanidis.
