Lysistrata, the Women’s Festival, and Frogs

To introduce modern audiences to how Aristophones meant these comedies to be staged, Ewans (drama, U. of New Castle, New South Wales, Australia) presents new translations that retain the modern-sounding earthy language of the originals. Drawing on his experience of directing the plays in a replica of the original theater, he situates the plays in sociopolitical and theatrical contexts. Features include a map of ancient Greece, chronology of Aristophones' life and times, schematic drawing of the Theater of Dionysos at Athens, recommended cuts and actor doublings, glossaries, and a bibliography. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)