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Overview
Synopsis
Lysistrata is one of the earliest theatrical depictions of the battle of the sexes. In the male-dominated society of Ancient Greece, Lysistrata is on a mission to end the Peloponnesian War taking place between the Greek states. She knows that the only way to stop the men being so fixated upon war, is to shock them into negotiating peace. Gathering together the women affected by the wars, she proposes withholding sexual relations between them and their husbands and lovers until the men agree to talk peace. However, the men of Greece are not so easy to manipulate, and the women’s plan soon enrages them, sparking off a battle of the sexes. Ultimately physical desire, loneliness, and marital needs get the better of the men, and they are induced to negotiate peace talks over the naked body of a beautiful handmaiden. With the warring states brought back together, celebrations commence and couples are reunited.
Show Information
- Book
- Aristophanes
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- Genres
- Comedy, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Athens, Ancient Greece, 411 BC
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Lysistrata was first performed in Ancient Greece in 411 BC. It stems from the middle section of Aristophanes’ career, when he was beginning to move away from the theatrical conventions of Old Comedy. It is best known today as one of the earliest analyses of sexual relations and societal expectation in a male-dominated society. Around 411 BC, Greek theatre was an extremely popular form of entertainment as it spoke to the common man and tended to address political issues of the time.
to read the context for Lysistrata and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Lysistrata is frustrated by the continuing war between the Greek states and desperately wants to bring peace to the country. She has planned a meeting between all of the women of Greece to discuss her plan to end the Peloponnesian War once and for all. However, aside from her neighbor, Calonice, the women are all late. As Lysistrata waits for the women of Sparta, Thebes, and other areas to meet her she curses the weakness of her sex. Lysistrata plans to ask the women to refuse
to read the plot for Lysistrata and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Spoken, Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher