No Mean Company

Parliament of Women

Written by Aristophanes

May 1998

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aristophanes was born some two and a half thousand years ago and lived through Greece's bitter wars with the Spartans. He wrote 40 plays, 11 of which survive and are regularly produced. He was a brilliantly inventive dramatist, recognised as the father of comedy, but was also deeply conscious of his responsibility as a writer to influence the society he lived in. This society, the cradle of democracy, was at war with Sparta and in constant crisis. Ploiticians and business men, demagogues and sophists all manoevered fro personal gain. Aristophanes lampoons all the powerful men and even their commentators. He was, it could be argued, the original Ian Hislop. He was also an eloquent oppoonent to the governments of Athens and evidence of a deep desire for peace and honesty can be found I many of his plays.

ABOUT THE PLAY

Aristophanes' plays were written for the Dionysian festivals, where awards were given for the best tragedy, best comedy, best chorus etc. - the original BAFTA's. The plays have very little plot and rely more on sketching a farcical situation, which usually had a direct reference to a political of social problem of the time, and then exploiting that situation for comic effect. Parliament of Women is true to this method. We have updated the songs and added a few extra scenes for the men but everything else is Aristophanes' as he wrote it for an audience 2500 years ago.

I am amazed that this play is so contemporary. One of the lines is a literal translation:- 'We offer you a deal that is new'' Sound familiar? We in Scotland are moving quickly towards a new parliament. A focus for that parliament is 'gender balance'. How will this flesh out? Nobody knows, but perhaps we can laugh and learn from our ancestors who had the same idea!

Enjoy the show.

Simon Sharkey, Director

WOMEN TAKE CHARGE

Get set for a night of bawdy comedy as No Mean Co bring a 2,000 year old classic bang up to date.

Cumbernauld Theatre's amateur theare group present Aristophanes' 'Parliament of Women' at the venue next Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9.

KARAOKE

Described as 2a kind of Carry On Up The Acropolis with bawdy humoumour, in your face comedy and a karaoke chorus', this hilarious tale of a male-dominated society turned on its head is being directed by Simon Sharkey, Cumbernauld Theatre's artistic director.

Said Simon: 'This is a play I've wanted to do for a while. Although it was written so long ago, it's full of completely topical and contemporary issues – what could be more contemporary than the forming of a new parliament with a bias towards female representation, ofering a new Deal?

'It's extremely funny too, a big tongue in cheek look at politicians, parliaments and the age old gender war between men and women. Everyone has been having a really good time doing it.'

'Parliament of Women' is the story of one weekend when women, by pretending to be men, gain the majority in parliament and win power to legislate.

UTOPIA

The women start building a female Utopia with free food, clothes and wine. No crime, no fear and free sex for all! Somehow society muct be right and so the men plot to get back on top.

The show can be seen from 7.45 pm each night. Tickets are on sale now, priced $5 or £3. For more details, call 732887

A Classic Carry On

Aristophanes' may have missed the antics of the 'Carry On' team by around 2,000 years – but one gets the feeling he would have approved.

Particularly having seen his bawdy comedy 'Parliament of Women' in a pacy, confident production from local amateur company no mean Co.

Mercilessly lampooning politics and power, 'Parliament of Women' is a simple satire asking the question: 'What would happen if the women took over?'

More of a sketch than a plot-driven play, the show proved its enduring tipicality – and hilarity – in No Mean Co's production at Cumbernauld Theatre last week.

Saturday night's performance was peppered with references to the eurovision Song Contest and Celtic's victory that day, as if dealing with a gender-balanced parliament offering a new deal wasn't topical enough.

The plot – such as it was – focussed on a group of Greek women (led by the ever excellent maureen Alexander) taking power with the help of a handful of false veards.

Unashamedly earthy in its approach, the play was loaded with opportunities for the cast to shine – and they did not disappoint. Gerry Campbell and Angela Milton wee among the stand-out performers, as were Charlie Friell and Calum Cormack.

With Karaoke numbers spicing things up even more, Paul Aitken delivered 'What's New Pussycat?' with panache and a show-stopping duet with Irene Riddell.

Bringing in Cumbernauld Theatre's artistic director, Simon Sharkey, as guest director was a masterstroke. Simon's touch was clearly evident in this polished production.

Light on plot but high on laughs and talent, 'Parliament of Women' was a farcical treat.