'There is no beast, no rush of fire, like woman so untamed' Aristophanes, Lysistrata
A radical modern reimagining of a 2500-year-old Greek comedy about going on strike to end a war, from a company of ten women actors from lands as far flung as Ukraine, Syria and Zimbabwe, now seeking sanctuary in London. A moving, funny and provocative piece about losing homes and making new ones, sisterhood and solidarity.
Expect singing, sauciness and heartfelt moments in this new work from an award-winning creative team including director Sepy Baghaei and playwright Carmen Nasr, devised with the company and drawing on their own untold stories.
I am Lysistrata has been developed using public funding by Arts Council England and with the support of Glastonbury Festival, National Lottery Community Fund, and the Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund. It is produced by Itab Azzam of Makani, whose previous work in theatre and film includes Antigone of Syria and BAFTA-winning documentary Exodus: Our Journey to Europe.
‘Knowing Aristophanes, and knowing Makani, I think this reimagining is going to be thought-provoking, moving, and very, very funny.’
Classicist and presenter Bettany Hughes, Project Ambassador
‘Makani, ‘my place’. Like a torch, they lightened my path, showed me that I can, I actually can, I have what it takes to speak up.’
I am Lysistrata participant Niveen from Syria
Praise for Antigone of Syria:
‘Their performances have a power that put Juliette Binoche in the shade.’
BBC News
‘I could see how the use of this specific text impacted my life and my work for years and I cannot imagine enough how much it changed in the lives of the women who took part of it.’
Hane Alrustm
Cast
Created and performed by:
NIVEEN ABDI
JULIANAH AJANI
HOUDA FANSA
ANASTASIIA HASPARIAN
JOY MUKENDI
MARIA OBI
SHANZAY SHAH
NOOR
REBECCA
SHEILA
Creative Team
WRITER | CARMEN NASR
DIRECTOR | SEPY BAGHAEI
PRODUCER | ITAB AZZAM
SET & COSTUME DESIGNER | SADEYSA GREENWAY-BAILEY
COMMUNITY COORDINATOR | NATASHA HUGHES
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | HANNA KHOGALI
LIGHTING DESIGNER | RAJIV PATTANI
SOUND DESIGNER | ANNA WOOD
ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS I TABITHA ROSS & HANNAH NICHOLLS
Blog
I am Lysistrata has been devised with a company of women from countries including Ukraine, Zimbabwe and Syria, now seeking sanctuary in London. To find out more about their experience creating this production, you can read their blogs below.
Freesheet
View the freesheet here.
Makani in association with Park Theatre presents the World Premiere of
I Am Lysistrata
By Carmen Nasr and devised with the company, Directed by Sepy Baghaei