The Lysistrata Project

February 7, 2003 3:35 PM

The play's the thing... From a flyer at a demonstration, earlier today: On March 3, 2003. Groups all over the world will perform readings of Aristophanes' anti-war play Lysistrata to show Bush and the world that war is not the only option. The list of performances is quite impressive. Pro-peace? Get involved!
posted by condour75 (22 comments total)

I'm pro-peace. That's why I support enforcing the will of the UN Security Council.

/troll

Excellent project though.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 3:51 PM on February 7, 2003

The pro peace movement includes poets for peace, and performing groups for peace and hollywood stars for peace. The pro war movement includes the president, the joint chiefs of staff and the the full weight of the u.s military. Now, I'm not particularly for war, but I just don't see the value in these kinds of goofy, limp wristed protests. Three million people marching on Washington, maybe, or a nationwide strike by, say, every teacher in america, or something dramatic, perhaps that would carry some weight. This seems a little small & futile, just like spitting against the sea.
posted by jonson at 3:54 PM on February 7, 2003

How about these wankers go to Iraq and disarm Saddam themselves, then... Show us all these other options, Thespis.
posted by techgnollogic at 3:56 PM on February 7, 2003

Bush doesn't know the difference between Lysistrata and Listerine. If they really wanted to get his attention, they'd get Clint Black and Tanya Tucker to sing a duet of Charlie Moore and Bill Napier's Vietnam-era "Is This a Useless War?"
posted by waxpancake at 3:57 PM on February 7, 2003

Then again, any action is better than no action at all.
posted by waxpancake at 3:58 PM on February 7, 2003

Jonson: That too. Here's the next large-scale demonstration. They're still suing for a permit in NYC though.
posted by condour75 at 4:00 PM on February 7, 2003

If I can be a bit snippy here, and not take a stand either for or against a war, I recall that the wives of thes oldiers in the play refused to have sex (like candy: sexual favors) until the boys stopped making war. Now of course we also have many women in the armed forces--they follow military oreers and not theplaywrights's suggestions. How many protesters have wives and/or girlfriends who will do the same? The peace protesters ought to deny themselves sex till there is a time of peace. Wank for peace, so to speak.
posted by Postroad at 4:00 PM on February 7, 2003

I love 'Lysistrata'. Although some section feel like 'Carry On Being Greek'. Depends on the translation.
posted by feelinglistless at 4:01 PM on February 7, 2003

postroad: that too.
posted by condour75 at 4:01 PM on February 7, 2003

Condour - Brilliant! Touch your sack, no Iraq. Good stuff ;-)
posted by jonson at 4:19 PM on February 7, 2003

Groups all over the world will perform readings of Aristophanes' anti-war play Lysistrata to show Bush and the world that war is not the only option.

So their solution is to bore Saddam to death?
posted by gyc at 4:38 PM on February 7, 2003

This is the art equivalent of wearing an AIDS ribbon. "I put on a play, so I care about peace!" Who doesn't?

Do you really think Bush WANTS war? Wait, this is MetaFilter...of course you do.
posted by TheFarSeid at 6:23 PM on February 7, 2003

Great post, condour75 - thanks! And I am surprised everyone is so negative about this - what cynics! In my mind, anything that gets people thinking and talking about peace in creative ways to help us break out of the scary lock-step that the country is in - well, that's all good in my book! Antiwar movements & sex, two worthwhile topics to spend an even discussing. Talk about a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down.

I have to keep some hope that even small gestures are important - that even a few drops of water can have great power to change geographies over time.

OK, so much for the soapbox and on to the fun stuff... gyc, if you think Lysistrata is boring, perhaps you are unfamiliar with the wonderful yet-very-not-safe-for-work erotic illustrations that have been associated with this work? And here are further resources on these illustrations.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:42 PM on February 7, 2003

oops - make that "...two worthwhile topics to spend an evening discussing.
posted by madamjujujive at 6:45 PM on February 7, 2003

One of the Lysistratae is going up at my school, so I'll be going--but without much faith in its significance for this particular conflict. I sincerely hope you're right, madam.
posted by hippugeek at 8:20 PM on February 7, 2003

Bad word choice: change that "significance" to "applicability." Thank you.
posted by hippugeek at 8:22 PM on February 7, 2003

I don't get it. What exactly is the "other option" that reading this play is supposed to demonstrate? Are we supposed to deny Saddam Hussein sex until he disarms?

<obligatory South Park reference>Satan already tried that!</ospr>

Okay, snarkiness aside I've got an invite to read for one of these and I'm going to ask for the relevant nights off so I can do it, not because I feel particularly strongly one way or the other, but because the play is a hoot! If they really want to be anti-war they should do _The Iliad_ or something.
posted by wobh at 9:18 PM on February 7, 2003

In my mind, anything that gets people thinking and talking about peace in creative ways to help us break out of the scary lock-step that the country is in - well, that's all good in my book!

except giant paper mache puppets, I should hope
posted by y2karl at 9:41 PM on February 7, 2003

So their solution is to bore Saddam to death?

Keep watching 'Joe Millionaire', won't you? And keep drinking beer...
posted by riviera at 6:45 AM on February 8, 2003

Which play are we s`posed to put on if we support the war? Perhaps a rendition of South Pacific? Maybe a little bit of King Lear?
posted by blue_beetle at 8:39 AM on February 8, 2003

Golly, looks like none of the performances are going to be in Iraq. Wonder why?

I certainly hope they get method actors to play the ambassadors. NSFW.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 9:42 AM on February 8, 2003

No, to effectively protest the US economy must be threatened. Something like a strike, or blocking of major freeways would send clear message. (Anyone?)
posted by iamck at 10:11 AM on February 8, 2003