In this very loose, modern adaptation of Aristophanes’ classic comedy ‘Lysistrata’, a fiery young woman takes sex and politics into her own hands. Fed up with austerity – the economic war waged on Greece by the Troika – she drunkenly launches a sex strike and occupies the Acropolis with her friends and the women of Athens. Fighting hard to maintain their position, armed with dildos and fire extinguishers, she finds it difficult to convince politicians of her arguments and keep her friends together. Performed by an outstanding company of four gender-swapping actors, this epic, sexy tale has tragic consequences.
The world premiere of this exciting adaptation is dynamic and different in a number of ways: it has a unique angle on sex in that the show is about withholding it; it is often sexy and often sexualised but never both at the same time. The show asks interesting questions on what it is to be a woman in modern society and engage in politics with men who don’t respect then. At a stylistic level, the intense cross-casting, with actors gliding between genders, raises substantial questions of what it is to be a man or a woman. One of the driving forces of the plot is a protest against the notion of austerity that is foisted upon populations by politicians without being properly explained. What is austerity really doing to our lives and relationships? As a completely original take on a well known text, this show should attract those interested in Classics and also how it can adapt to an original dramatic setting.
Christopher Adams, adapter and director, has experience adapting, most notably his acclaimed adaptation of Genet’s ‘The Maids’, his production of which was shortlisted for NSDF. He trained at Lecoq and most recently directed a tour of ‘The Comedy of Errors’ to Japan and the UK for Thelma Holt.
DEM Productions is developing a reputation for bringing exciting and varied work to the Fringe, having last year presented an award-nominated new musical and a startling new version of a Sarah Kane play, It is also an associate producer on the upcoming West End premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Rabbit Hole starring Joanne Froggatt.
C venues at 20.30.
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