Lysistrata (version 2)
Aristophanes
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Lysistrata has had enough. She is tired of the constant war that is ravaging Greece and has come up with a solution: Together with female friends from other Greek cities, she persuades all women of Greece to pledge an oath and refrain from all sexual contact with their husbands and lovers. The idea is that what men really want is sex, and that they are willing to do anything to get it - even abandoning their pride and make peace. And while the Athenian women retreat into the sacred Acropolis, the men gather outside and debate what is to be done...
This famous play by Aristophanes, first staged in 411 BCE, sheds a light on the relation of the sexes in Ancient Greece, and is probably the first instance of a War of the Sexes.
The translator of this version is unknown, but it is rumored to have been Oscar Wilde. (Summary by Availlle).
Cast List:
Lysistrata: Availle
Calonice: leanneyauyau
Myrrhine: lian2902952
Lampito: clarinetcarrot
Stratyllis: LydiaCW
First woman: leanneyauyau
Second woman: DaMa
Third woman: Kitty
Fourth woman: sawasawaya
A woman & Old Woman: catharmaiden
Chorus of Women: bluechien
Slave: StarFire
Child: LydiaCW
Magistrate: RobBoard
Cinesias: ZamesCurran
Old Man: alanmapstone
Chorus of Old Men: unreadpages
Herald: Fiindil
Laconian: VfkaBT
Chorus of Laconians: alanmapstone
Athenian: NemoR
Chorus of Athenians: WiltedScribe
Market lounger: Mratthew
Narrator: MrsHand
Audio editing: Availle (1 hr 30 min)
Chapters
| Scene 1 - in a public square at Athens | 18:20 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Scene 2 - before the gates of the Acropolis | 31:37 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
| Scene 3 - within the precincts of the citadel | 40:22 | Read by LibriVox Volunteers |
Reviews
an awesome performance of one of the greatest plays in existence
Grotesque Head
I cannot say enough how much I love this large cast performance; The readers truly bring this play to life, doing justice to one of the most important political comedies ever written; it's message is still extremely relavent today, and many of the phrases and jokes are still in use, just over 2400 years since it's creation. Aristophanes is truly the father of Western humor, and I would recommend this play to any adult who loves to laugh as well as to think.
A LibriVox Listener
This is a very funny and daring play, which also opens for an interesting discussion on gender roles, sexuality and power dynamics. Well acted by the entire cast!
Fascinating!
Kaz
Now I know why Ancient Greek History was not taught in Primary School.
Excellent production
RofVT
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank-you to all involved.
Very clear and understandable, with an ensemble feel
A LibriVox Listener
Quality of performances varies
Giacomo Piccinini
The quality a
good reading
A LibriVox Listener
well read by everyone, this was a funny and interesting story and the readers only improved it.