Lysistrata Directorial

Objectives
The objective oI the play is to show that women are equal to men in their
capabilities oI ruling or showing authority. They should have equal rights and
be shown the same respect as a man.
The objective oI the Iirst scene is to show an extreme contrast between the
characters Lysistrata and Calonice. In doing so, it will highlight to the audience
that women status has grown in Athens. The audience will see how Iar women
have come Irom being house wives` to bring peace to Greece Irom the start
oI the play compared to the end oI the scene.
Starter
Wearing masks, all actors walk around the room in a natural manner. Then three
diIIerent emotions or these will be called out and they will have to walk around
in that emotion.
This will be useIul as it will show the actors interpretations oI the emotions.
Emotions. Strong, Independent, Sexy, Excitable, Aggressive, Plain, Agreeable
#ead through scene
iscuss what the chorus would be doing at this time would they be on stage?
Would they be in Ireeze Irames? How does everyone Ieel about the idea oI a
motiI? What theme would the motiI have?
iscuss the eIIect talking to the audience will have on the way the characters
behave oes Lysistrata talking less to the audience imply to the audience that
she is a more Iocused individual than Calonice who has lines seeking laughter
Irom the audience?
ethod
Getting the actors to consider the three emotions used in the starter, in pairs get
them to act out a section oI the play in their given emotion only (allow them one
read through and then get them to perIorm it to the everyone else.) This will
highlight that the characters Lysistrata and Calonice are need to be played
diIIerently to be eIIective in getting the audience to engage.
Directing
Choose several pivotal moments and get the chorus to construct diIIerent Ireeze
Irames which symbolise the Ieelings Lysistrata has at these times
o men play the women? Or would a stronger message be portrayed iI Calonice
is played by a man and Lysistrata stays as a woman?
Are the stairs used?
Where are the entrances and exits?
Is the audience only in Iront or are they all around?
Performance
Put all the Ireezes together and the scene as well.
Evaluation
What do people think about how the scene portrays my concept?
What could be done to improve it?