The VWC Theatre Department presents Aristophanes’ The Assemblywomen, a gender-bending social satire
By Leona Baker | April 10, 2012
“I propose that we turn over governance of the city to the women,” declares Praxagora, the lead character in Aristophanes’ The Assemblywomen, which opens at the College’s Hofheimer Theatre on April 18.
In what proves to be a bold gender-bending plot, Praxagora convinces her fellow Athenian women to disguise themselves in cloaks and fake beards and infiltrate the city parliament. There they persuade an inept assembly of men to hand over power to the fairer sex. What they do with that power is the subject of this comedic—and often bawdy—social satire.
Based on a translation by classicist Jeffrey Henderson, an expert on Greek vernacular, this production makes generous use of contemporary American slang and not-so-veiled sexual innuendo to give life to a storyline that is as relevant a commentary on gender equality for modern audiences as it would have been in Ancient Greece.
“One of the reasons we produce plays like The Assemblywomen is to expose the audience to classical drama,” says the play’s director and Associate Professor of Theatre Travis Malone. “The other is to give the students an opportunity to experience the classical literary style, to work with the language and to interpret highly philosophical concepts in ways that most modern plays do not.”
More than 30 students are involved in the production from start to finish. They do everything from stage management and lighting to choreography and costume design. It’s a chance for students to tackle the real-world challenges of how a play on the page becomes a fully realized production on the stage. The acting cast includes 19 men and women. Among them is sophomore Ada Van Tine, who plays the pivotal role of Praxagora.
“It is a great challenge to play such a strong female leader while also showing her sense of humor and compassion,” says Van Tine. “It’s also a learning experience because of the difference in time period. The cast for this play is the biggest cast I've been in at Virginia Wesleyan and that has made the rehearsal process more complicated, but very rewarding to see all of these talented people collaborate.”
The Assemblywomen will be held in the Hofheimer Theatre, Fine Arts Building, on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan, April 18-21 at 8 p.m. and April 22 at 2 p.m. This production contains mature themes and language and is not intended for younger audiences. General admission: $10 adults; $5-students, seniors, military. Reservations and ticket information: 757.455.3381. For more information, contact Dr. Travis Malone with VWC Theatre Department at 757.455.3256 or e-mail tmalone@vwu.edu. This event is open to the public.