Venue: The Frederic Wood Theatre at UBC.
Date(s): November 14 - November 21, 2001
Reviewer: Jane Penistan
Sunlit classical Greek architecture graces the stage
for David Bloom's
adaptation of Aristophanes' Lysistrata. The entrance to the
Acropolis dominates the scene with male and female territories defined
by a taverna and a line of drying laundry. Lysistrata makes a dramatic
entry from the Acropolis and holds a commanding position over both
territories.
The black clad male and female choruses of elderly Athenian citizens
keep strictly within their own territories, seldom venturing into the
neutral ground in front of the temple steps. Lysistrata and her women
are brightly dressed, in contrast to the chorus and military
characters.
Tired of losing sons to the ravages of the Peloponnesian war, the women
of Athens are urged by Lysistrata to withdraw their marital favours
from their husbands until peace is declared. Although they agree to do
this, some find difficulty in continuing the practice. Lysistrata also
persuades the women of Sparta to join her campaign, thus making allies
of the enemy's wives. The deprived and agonized men of both sides
finally agree on the price of peace, and so the war is resolved; for
the time being.
As Lysistrata, Jessica Clements sustains her strength well, in command
of the women and the focus of men's attention.
The chorus of women is more successful than that of the men, the women
being more convincingly aged than their male counterparts. The choral
speaking, on the opening night, was a little ragged at first, but
improved with the performance. The leaders of both choruses, Anastasia
Filipczuk and Adrian McMorran justified their roles.
The adaptation of classical texts for modern audiences is always
difficult. The use of the ancient Greek ritual of comedy is not always
acceptable to present day audiences and needs to be handled with great
delicacy. This production manages to overcome most of the pitfalls.
The visual effects are excellent and the music entrancing. David Bloom
and the UBC Theatre Department are to be congratulated on this
delightful production.
© 2001, Jane Penistan