Summer 2026: Ellen McLaughlin, Lysistrata
Before We Begin
Information
Press Release: AnglistenTheater Presents Ellen McLaughlin’s Lysistrata
With Lysistrata, the AnglistenTheater at the University of Augsburg brings a modern adaptation of one of the most famous anti-war plays in theatre history to the stage. American playwright Ellen McLaughlin’s version is based on the ancient comedy by the Greek playwright Aristophanes and combines its biting humour with a contemporary perspective on war, power, and gender roles.
At the centre of the play is the Athenian woman Lysistrata, who, in the face of a never-ending and destructive war, devises a radical plan: the women of Greece refuse their husbands love and sex until the men finally agree to make peace. What initially appears to be a ridiculous idea develops into a clever, provocative, and surprisingly timely exploration of violence, political responsibility, and the possibilities of social resistance.
Ellen McLaughlin’s adaptation preserves the anarchic wit and satirical force of the ancient original while also giving the characters greater psychological depth and emotional complexity. Between sharp dialogue, grotesque situations, and deeply moving moments, Lysistrata raises questions that remain urgently relevant today: How much time does it take before people are willing to end violence? Which voices are ignored in political conflicts? And what form can resistance take when traditional power structures fail?
American playwright and actor Ellen McLaughlin is considered one of the leading contemporary authors of modern adaptations of classical material. Her plays have been performed internationally, including at the Public Theater in New York, the Almeida Theatre in London, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and the Helen Merrill Award for Playwriting. McLaughlin also became widely known as the original performer of the Angel in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America.
With Lysistrata, the AnglistenTheater ensemble presents a production that combines comic lightness with political relevance. Balancing satirical wit and serious reflection, the play unfolds as a timeless exploration of war, social responsibility, and the power of collective action.
Lotte Lange
The Play
