Lysistrata seizes the Little Theatre

Seeing the timeless Greek comedy “Lysistrata” performed at Citrus College’s Little Theatre was an absolute pleasure. 

Written by Aristophanes during the 30-year Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta in the 5th century B.C, the play challenges gender stereotypes, exposing the futility of war and the power of sex. 

The protagonist, Lysistrata, who is fed up with her countrymen’s incessant fighting, enlists the help of her fellow women to put an end to it, once and for all. 

Their outré plan is to abstain from sex with their husbands until they sign a treaty to end the war.

As Lysistrata says, “It’s not copulation without cooperation.” 

The women’s initial reluctance to stick to their own plan, and the men’s futile attempts to regain control of the Acropolis, provide for much hilatiry.

Careful attention to detail was apparent in the Little Theatre set. 

Metallic luster contrasted with rustic overtones, creating a scene that perfectly balanced futuristic architecture with post-apocalyptic destruction. 

Strewn about the stage were dangling wires, various spare car parts, and other miscellaneous metal objects. 

The floor and walls were painted with a matrix of silver lines and dots, resembling a giant computer chip. 

There was certainly no shortage of phallic symbols, as everything from the hair and tattoos, to the stage and props were reminiscent of phalli. 

From a purely aesthetic approach, the diversity and audacity of the costumes was impressive. 

With each character that took the stage, I felt like stopping the whole show just so I could get a closer look. 

The costumes were a flamboyant mish-mash of different fabrics and patterns sewn together, and the various patches, pins, and buttons of pop-culture references reminded audience members that this is our world, in the future. 

One character sported a skirt made entirely of ties, and various tattoos and leather straps accessorized the characters. 

Everyone had their own crazy hair style, which added perfectly to their wild look. 
Lampito’s bra, fashioned out of a pair of funnels, was an accessory worthy of Lady Gaga’s wardrobe, while the male chorus sported a skull on each shoulder with spikes coming out the ends to accent their brutal character. 

The sheer sartorial eccentricity played a vital role in convincing the audience that this was set in a post-apocalyptic future whose inhabitants resort to scavenging to meet their basic needs.

Lysistrata’s relatively tame red dress with a Medici collar distinguished her from the rest of the ensemble, and accented her role as a vehement leader. 

Audience members left the production with the feeling that they had played an active role in the play. 

In several instances, actors interacted with the audience or used the seating area as an extension of the stage. 

In the opening scene, Lysistrata walked into the theater from behind the audience and descended onto the scene. 

At one point, the male chorus marched under the audience bleachers, hitting their weapons against the wood along the way, emerging from the other side. 

In another scene, several women sneak out at night and are meandering around the stage trying to avoid detection by Lysistrata. 

Wondering whatever happened to her, I turned to my right, and there she was sitting on someone’s lap!

The fact that everyone seemed comfortable and confident in their roles lent plausibility to the performance. 

Arlene Marin seemed to be exploding with confidence, and delivered her lines articulately and authoritatively. 

Another perfectly cast role was Chelsea Brynd as the Spartan warrior Lampito. 

An inherent virility transpired from her performance. 

Paired with untamed savage hair and a leopard print skirt, it distinguished her as a symbol of female strength. 

Overall all the women exuded a sense of sexiness and threatening dominance, which I’m sure kept all the men in the audience interested. 

The performance was engaging, and all the elements came together in a cohesive way, as testament to Cherie Brown’s excellent directing. 

The audience walked out feeling entertained and enlightened.

The appeal of Lysistrata, is that its theme remains relevant even thousands of years after it was written.