the lysistrata project singapore

6th Feb at 3pm - Jonathan, Du'c, Alan and Candice meet at Malti's place with 7 versions of the script and collectively start editing (and laughing) for the next 6 hours.

8th Feb at 2pm - Adeline joins us and the collective editing (and laughing) continue for 7 1/2 hours and we're done. However, Candice stays behind to type out the second half of the script on the computer. It's is about 4am when she and I are done.

11th Feb at 4pm - Mini auditions at the Substation. Fishah comes on board (aka President of Publicity).So do Hannah and Daphne (aka trusty SM team). Later over dinner/ Mcflurry/ Ice Lemon Tea, we meet Derrick,Jimmy, Jotsze,Lynn and we're slowly moving into 2nd gear.

12th Feb - The group emails are coming thick and fast every day. One immediate priority is to get a sponsored venue asap. Unfortunately, all the normal venues we approach for sponsorship are just not available.

13th Feb - The other immediate priority is to get the script and proposed cast list done asap for the licence application asap.Jo approaches Zouk for sponsorship of venue and they say yes! Yippee! Jo sets up a Yahoo group called Lysistrata Singapore!

14th Feb - Candice singlehandedly and furiously types away to finish the first half of the script, while Jonathan completes the tail end.The complete script is done the next morning.

16th Feb at 7pm - We hold a big production meeting of 15-20 people at YMCA Macdonalds and delegation begins in earnest moving things into 3rd gear.

17th Feb at 2.30pm - Malti sends the licence application in with the completed script and cast list. Phew!

18th Feb at 6.30pm - We go down to look at Zouk. It turns out to be the perfect venue after all. Hannah starts working out all the techical details and liaison matters.

19th Feb - May-Ann designs the flyer and website and uploads it to http://lysistrata.cryptworx.com, also she has started on programme design.We now have a printing sponsor SEMCO, however Erik and Jo have found sponsorship very tough going. Red Cross expresses interest at being a beneficary for the event.

20th Feb - Christopher comes on board to co-ordinate the making of 500 paper flowers with "peace" momentoes for all who attend the event

21st Feb - The Red Cross Singapore and Mercy Relief are confirmed as beneficiaries for the event - both official and unofficial. Sennheiser sponsors mikes.

26th Feb - The Lysistrata Project put on hold as we source for a new venue.

war, war, war,
the yellow monster,
the eater of mind
and body.
war,
the indescribable,
the pleasure of
the mad,
the final argument
of
ungrown men.

as we approach
the last flash of
our chance.

breathing like this.

Charles Bukowski (1920-94)

********************
Originally from: The Last Night of the Earth Poems by Charles Bukowski, Black Sparrow Press, 1992.

Reproduced in: Poems for Refugees, Pippa Haywood (Ed), Vintage 2002 http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/vintage

suggested to the Lysistrata Project (Singapore) by Christopher Len

"Poem for Refugees" is an extraordinary anthology of poems, chosen by well-known names from the worlds of theatre, literature and film in response to the Afghan crisis brought about by the events of September 11th 2001. A deeply moving collection of poems ranging from Auden to Shakespeare, Brecht
to Harry Secombe, and chosen by figures such as JK Rowling, Seamus Heaney, Felicity Kendal, Joanna Lumley, Nick Hornby, Helen Fielding and Martin Clunes, and with personal statements from these celebrities as to the reasons for their choices.