Anti-war comedy

The Theatre Studies Programme - Mediterranean Institute - of the University of Malta is joining theatre groups in dozens of countries worldwide who are performing Artisophanes' ancient Greek anti-war comedy Lysistrata.

The Theatre Studies Programme is to perform the comedy in collaboration with St James Cavalier, in Valletta.

The readings are being organised by the Lysistrata Project, which was set up to coordinate this one-off event, on March 3.

To date 581 readings are scheduled in 37 countries to voice opposition to the war in Iraq.

Lysistrata tells the story of women from opposing states who unite to end a war by refusing to sleep with their husbands until the men agree to lay down their swords. Powerless in their society and distraught over too many of their children being slaughtered in battle, the women take the only tactic available to them: they withhold sex.

Further information may be obtained from the Lysistrata Project website or contact vicki.cremona@um.edu.mt marking your correspondence Lysistrata.