ANCIENT THEATRE OF EPIDAURUS
31 JULY & 1-2 AUGUST / 21:00
PREMIERE

National Theatre of Greece
Dramaturgy – Directing Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos
Lysistrata
by Aristophanes

Popular actor Odysseas Papaspiliopoulos makes his first directorial venture at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, staging a comedy by Aristophanes. Lysistrata was written in 411 BC, at a time when the Athenian city-state was at a critical point, in the midst of the Peloponnesian War. Following the disastrous Sicilian Expedition, Alcibiades has defected to Sparta. From their post in Decelea, the Spartans launch a fierce attack against the Athenians. Within the walled city, the situation is equally grim: the politically volatile situation has weakened the Assembly and the oligarchs are starting to make their present known.

Originally presented at the Lenaia festival in 411 BC, Lysistrata sees Aristophanes placing women in the public eye, confronting them with the possibility of taking political action for all matters related to both their household and their city – a theme he will revisit in Ecclesiazusae.

Lysistrata, whose name means ‘army disbander’, is no doubt capable of creating her own utopia. Aristophanes’ comedy is a wink at politicians, offering a rather unorthodox solution.