Created by playwright Carmen Nasr and a company of ten women seeking sanctuary in London, I Am Lysistrata reimagines the 2500-year-old comedy by Aristophanes about women coming together to end a war.
The project was made with participants from lands as far flung as Ukraine, Syria and Zimbabwe, with the aim of providing refugee women with a platform to tell their own stories in their own way. Set in a rehearsal room for the play, each participant uses the stories of their own lived experience to argue their case as to why they are the character of Lysistrata and how the play should be staged, from a musical to a drama and everything in between. The modern and meta interpretation of the classic play highlights the timeless relevance of living in a world impacted by war. The show is a humorous but provocative piece exploring themes of sisterhood and solidarity, losing homes and making new ones.
Director Sepy Baghaei said “It’s an honour to be working with this company of ten brilliant women, alongside our talented playwright Carmen, to create a whole new play inspired by the themes of Lysistrata. When you come to see I Am Lysistrata, you can expect to laugh, to be challenged, and ultimately, to be moved by the unflinching honesty and power of the voices of our ten women performers.”
Playwright Carmen Nasr said “This company of bold, intelligent and endlessly creative women have galvanised me as a writer. We have made a play that is unique, formally playful, and absolutely brimming full of heart and sisterhood. I’m already beyond proud to play a part in telling this story.”
I Am Lysistrata is at Park Theatre 11th – 13th July 2024
