Feb. 24, 2003 – St. John residents opposed to the United States going to war against Iraq will take to what passes for a stage at the Fish Trap Restaurant in Cruz Bay on March 3 for a reading of the classic Greek play "Lysistrata."
In a concerted protest of the looming war, people around the world will hold public readings of the play on March 3. As of Monday afternoon, 717 readings in 42 countries were scheduled.
"It's appropriate for the times when we're facing the kinds of things America is facing," local producer Deanna Somerville said.
"Lysistrata," an ancient Greek anti-war comedy written by Aristophanes, 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 their children being slaughtered in battle, the women employ the only tactic available to them. They withhold sex.
The Lysistrata Project got going in January as the brainchild of New York actors Kathryn Blume and Sharron Bower. "Before we started," Blume said, "we could do nothing but sit and watch in horror as the Bush administration drove us toward a unilateral attack on Iraq."
She and Bower e-mailed their friends and put up a Web site to get the project rolling. To access it, go to The Lysistrata Project.
Bower said many people who responded said they were distraught about the threat of war. "Now they feel empowered to do something and foster dialogue in their own communities," she said.
The St. John reading of the play will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Somerville said the proceeds will benefit St. John's People Moving Forward Foundation. For more information, call 693-5061.
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