Woman of Power: Lysistrata Opens October 28

S. Ann Hall '00 plays Lysistrata and Bob Lehan is a magistrate in the MHC theatre department's production of Lysistrata.

by S. Ann Hall '00

This semester the arts departments have adopted the theme "Women and Power" to inform and enhance MHC's arts curriculum. Having this common link unifies the arts community and is making the arts a strong force on campus. In keeping with this motif, the theatre department is staging a modern version of the Greek classic Lysistrata October 28 - 31 at Rooke Theatre.

Rena Down, visiting lecturer in theatre arts and Emmy Award-winning director, compiled her version of Aristophanes's comedy from five translations. Down's aims were to make this classic stageable at a women's college (which meant using as few men as possible), to create accessible language that people other than classics majors would understand, and to keep the play funny. She succeeded in doing all this while allowing the play to live through a cultural lens stained by the Balkan War

While the Peloponnesian War rages, Lysistrata develops a plan for peace--a sex strike. She is definitely a woman with some power. How she gets the men to agree to end the war drives the plot of this farce. The principal cast of Lysistrata consists of Rain Ross '00, Elizabeth Tidy, Stephanie Bortis '02, Molly Sullivan '02, Laconia Koerner '00, and me. They are supported by an incredible female chorus and a few powerful men "wrangled up" from around the Valley. Internationally known designers Leandro Soto and Vanessa James designed sets and costumes respectively. Katie Down, music director of the Pilgrim Theatre, composed an original score. Dance professor Rose Flachs choreographed the play; lighting and sound design are by John Howard.

The cast has rehearsed diligently nightly to create a show that is sexy, bawdy, funny, and powerful--just the kind of show to bring family members to on family weekend. I am performing the title role. As a theatre major I happily spend most of my time in Rooke Theatre--between taking two classes there, being on painting crew, and assistant teaching Saturday morning drama classes to children.

I returned to Mount Holyoke this year well prepared for this busy life, after spending my junior year in London. While a student at the British American Drama Academy, an acting conservatory in the heart of London, I was given the opportunity to study with people such as Fiona Shaw, Ian Brown, Mark Wing-Davey, and Simon Callow. As part of my training, I performed in two shows that were staged in a London theatre. Last summer, I was an acting intern for the Summer Theatre at Mount Holyoke, performing in five shows. All of my training and theatrical appearances will be good resume material for my upcoming plunge into the brutal real world of theatre. I plan on auditioning for national theatre companies until I find one that wants a fresh-out-of-college, non-Equity (actors' union) actor.

The twenty-four member cast of Lysistrata will performing this classic over family weekend, so bring yourself and relatives to this delightful and charged evening of entertainment. See the CSJ calendar for times and ticket prices.