THEATRE AGAINST THE WAR

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday February 27, 2003 19:05 by John O'Brien - Lysistrata Project (01) 671 3387

Acts Of Dissent: Public Readings of Lysistrata and other plays Against War in Iraq

On March 3rd over 782 public readings of this classic anti-war play will take place in over 42 countries! Stars of stage and screen will raise their voices in opposition to this war.

The cast of FAIR CITY and over 150 other Irish actors will join with international names such as Eric Stoltz, Mercedes Ruehl, Ed Begley Jr. F. Murray Abraham, Kevin Bacon, Kathleen Chalfont, Delphi Harrington, Kyra Sedgwick, Lori Singer, David Strathairn, and Julie Christie.

"At least for the record of history we have to let it be known that millions and millions opposed this war," says actress Julie Christie.

The Crypt Arts Centre, Dublin Castle will host public readings of anti-war plays, culminating in a reading of Lysistrata, as part of this international protest.

This theatrical act of dissent starts:

Tuesday 25 Feb @ 8PM with a reading of Journey's End by R.C. Sheriff, directed by Alan King.
Wednesday 26 Pvt Wars by James McClure, directed by Paschal Friel.
Thursday 27 Tracers by John DiFusco et al, directed by Glen Forbes.
Friday 28 Sticks And Bones by David Rabe, directed by Rossa Ó Sioradáin.
Saturday 29 The Tender Mercies by Sladjana Vujovic, directed by Simon Hudson.
Monday 3 March we will join over 530 readings in more than 35 countries around the world in a public reading of Lysistrata by Aristophanes, directed by John O'Brien.

Readings of Lysistrata will take place in
The New Theatre, Temple Bar at 1.15 , The Focus Theatre, Pembroke Street at 3.00pm,
Meetinghouse Square directed by Raymond Keane of Barrabas at 6.00pm ,
the cast of Fair City will read the play in The Sugar Club at 8.00pm.
Another star studded reading will take place in the Crypt at 8.00pm, followed by a cabaret.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITIES WORKING FOR PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF IN THE MIDDLE EAST

There are also readings in Project, Temple Bar, Trinity College and St Patrick's College(Drumcondra).

Outside Dublin there are readings in New Ross, Garter Lane Waterford with Red Kettle Theatre Company, in The Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge and Roscommon Arts Centre.

All participants in the readings are giving their time and their craft for free, including directors, actors, administrators, publicists, graphic designers and stage managers.