The Lysistrata Project (radio drama)

The Lysistrata Project was a global theatrical event held on March 3, 2003, as a protest against the impending invasion of Iraq. Inspired by Aristophanes' ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata, in which the women of Greece withhold sex from their husbands to end the Peloponnesian War, the project involved the simultaneous readings of new translations and adaptations of the play in locations around the world.

The radio drama aspect of The Lysistrata Project involved broadcasting performances of the play, often live, over local and community radio stations. This allowed the message of peace and anti-war sentiment to reach a wider audience than traditional theatrical performances. Radio broadcasts were a particularly effective way to involve communities unable to host full stage productions, and to circumvent potential censorship or political obstacles.

Organized primarily through grassroots efforts and online networks, The Lysistrata Project aimed to create a global conversation about war and peace. The radio drama component served as a key element in amplifying this message and reaching diverse audiences internationally. Individual radio stations made their own artistic choices in adapting the play for audio, leading to a variety of interpretations and approaches. The project demonstrated the power of theatre and radio as tools for political activism and social commentary.