Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival continues its 29th season with a modern-day riff onLysistrata, the outrageous 2,400-year-old comedy about the power of citizen action, written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes.
First staged in 411 BC, this production of Lysistrata is co-adapted by Jennifer Wise (Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition–winner, 2013) and Lois Anderson (Jessie Award–winner for Pericles, Outstanding Direction, 2016). Lois Anderson also directs this unique new play on the Howard Family Stage.
In this adaptation, Aristophanes’ classic tale of the first-ever female strike is staged by a company of Bard actresses in response to a development project that threatens Vanier Park. A bawdy romp, the play investigates how humour and art can take their place in the political arena.
“When it was written in 411 BC it would have been a hilarious scenario for an Athenian audience to witness housewives participating in politics,” explained Anderson. “Aristophanes wrote Lysistrata in the midst of a long, drawn-out war that was ravaging Greece. I was impressed that his action was to respond as an artist; to write a play, to stage a comedic glance at the state of affairs. Citizens were expected to attend the theatre in ancient Athens – it was a place where questions were staged and democracy was put under the lens. The theatre functioned in part as a public forum.”
Adds Anderson, “so, here we are in the summer of 2018 in Vancouver, and as we wrangle down this ancient Greek play, we consider our relationship with activism, land and the theatre – today.”
The Lysistrata ensemble cast includes Sharon Crandall, Michelle Fisk, Marci T. House, Ming Hudson, Luisa Jojic, Jennifer Lines, Adele Noronha, Quelemia Sparrow, Colleen Wheeler, Joel D. Montgrand, and Sebastien Archibald.
Dates of note for Lysistrata include:
OPENING NIGHT – Friday, July 13 at 7:30pm
TALKBACK TUESDAYS – July 31, August 7 and August 28 at 7:30pm
WINE WEDNESDAYS – July 11 and September 5 at 7:30pm
CLOSING NIGHT – Thursday, September 13 at 7:30pm
Ticket prices for all regular play performances start at $24 CAD. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection, as many performances sell out in advance. The full performance schedule, site information and play and special events details are on the Bard website at bardonthebeach.org. To book tickets, order online through the Bard website or call the Bard Box Office at 604-739-0559 or (toll free) 1-877-739-0559.