Lysistrata, the third and concluding play of War and Peace by Aristophanes (c 456-386 BC) is performed here by Act Provocateur International. With an opening referring to tits and clits, this production certainly lives up to the company name - provocative, sexy and definitely not for the faint of heart.

The production is set-less; the time is Greece BC; it's an ensemble piece about ending the Peloponnesian War. The women of Sparta, Boeotia and Corinth join together to try and gain peace by withdrawing sex from their husbands and partners until the treaty of peace is signed. Lysistrata is the principal force behind this, which ultimately gains her the respect of the men. This show addresses the importance of women in society without being overly feminist. In the tradition of Greek comedies, there is an emphasis on the erotic, and explicit references to genitalia. The production has male actors wearing huge comic phalluses, and female nudity.

Claudia Morcroft's Lysistrata has the vocal skills to fill an original Greek amphitheatre. Her voice resonates in the space with presence and strength. Daren-Luc Kelly shows lots of comical versatility as a Spartan Deputy; he wouldn't be out of place in (the film) Meet the Spartans. The star turn is Denis Khoroshko's as a very droll Magistrate's Secretary and Polycharides.

Director is Andrea AR Hooymans. The production may best be described as 1970s porno on acid. The bawdy nature of Greek life is highlighted via its under-sexed, frustrated characters. Sarah Balding's Myrrhini and Michael Christofis's Strynidoros and their duologue exemplify this. Myrrhini denying her man sex by continually using avoidance tactics evokes how exasperating the situation has become to all the men. Though the play has comedy, it also tells how war affected the women of Greece - the scarcity of young marriageable men; women forced to bring up families alone.

The production would suit the outdoor summer season or a bigger venue with more production values - it's an imposing Greek comedy and seems stifled in this small venue. It's far from a woeful Greek tragedy, and good for laughs and squirming.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Miguel Chavez Aldama - Philourgos. Sarah Balding - Myrrhini. Michael Christofis - Cinesias, Strynidoros. Madeline French - Corintian Whore, Old Women. Denys Gaskell - Stratyllis. Imogen Harris - Caloniki, Miss Peace. Daren-Luc Kelly - Magistrate, Spartan Deputy. Denis Khoroshko - Magistrate's Secretary, Polycharides. Shane Maclean - Drakis. Claudia Morcroft - Lysistrata. Rebecca Wall - Lampito, Old Women.

Company Credits: Writer - Aristophanes. Director & Lighting - Andrea AR Hooymans. Costumes - Elene Sobchak. Technical Operator - Andrea AR Hooymans. Company - Act Provocateur International - renamed Lion & Unicorn Theatre from 17 July 08. Producer - Victor Sobchak. Artistic Director - Victor Sobchak.

END

(c) Rebecca Talbot 2008

reviewed Friday 11 July 08 / Lion & Unicorn

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com