Ancient bust in motion
A story about women. About women fighting for what is theirs. Of unity. And about the strength that lies within.
This dance performance takes its theme from Aristophanes’ comedy Lysistrata. It is set against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War. In most cases, the discussion of war is from a male perspective, but this particular drama focuses on the world of the fairer sex, who hold the power to end the strife.
Unlike the original work, however, this performance is far from making one burst out laughing. The crude sexuality and vulgarity has been replaced by a contrast between the women’s unflagging resistance and their fragility. This adaptation is all the more powerful today, when Europe is on the brink of a huge war. If you tried to find ‘the one’ who would change everything, you would search in vain. It's not quite the story of Lysistrata. It's a story about all women suffering the same fate.
Through dance and movement, Georgia State University's Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film students have managed to create an intriguing juxtaposition of anxiety, fear, and punchiness. These ladies harbour an incredible strength within themselves, as evidenced by the red patches on their skin caused by constantly beating their chests without fear of hurting themselves.
The set is relatively simple, the costumes perfectly complementing the movements of the actresses - visually there was no need to exaggerate anything, simplicity providing the beauty of the piece. In a neutral environment, several elements of the colour red (which symbolises not only blood, but also the feminine principle itself) made a strong impression. The dancers smeared it on their faces at the end of the piece.
In addition to the music, the production also works heavily with other sounds. At the beginning of the production, nine beautiful women, placed in a symmetrical formation - with a stony expression on their faces - sang a ballad. Likewise, their expressive breathing or loud infantile laughter and screams support the overall atmosphere of the production. All this occurred without over-saturation and in absolute harmony with the other elements used.
The whole production can thus be defined in two words - simple beauty. Everything happened in perfect harmony, without the need to overdo anything. The message was clear, the execution masterful. In the end, the roaring applause spoke for itself.
