Stuttard, a director, editor, and author, brings together eight essays that consider Aristophanes' Lysistrata in its historical and social context, his purpose in writing the play, and the responses of modern audiences and directors. A group of drama, classics, and Greek scholars from the UK and Canada look at different aspects of the play, which Stuttard argues has become more popular and more misunderstood in modern times, as directors and audiences overlook the social and political context in which it was written. They discuss its structure, how it reflects fifth-century BC society, its modern reception, its central issue, and aspects relating to gender and sex, war and peace, characters, and fantasy. Included is Stuttard's fast-paced, modern version. Distributed by International Publishers Marketing. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
