2005 Season - Genesius Guild

Aristophanes: "The Knights"

When the play begins, two generals are bewailing the popular election of Cleon as leader of Athens. They realize that the vulgar demagogue will never stop the interminable conflict with Sparta and they can think of no way to reverse the war fever that drives the fighting on. They are disgusted with Demos, the personification of the people of Athens, who voted for such a transparently worthless scoundrel.

They spend the play insulting Cleon’s character and ability (although not actually using his name) and plot ways to convince Demos to oust the ruler they fear will destroy the state. The play ends in drolleries, in which the generals, Cleon, and his opponent try to woo Demos with flatteries, prophecies, and bribes, somewhat offsetting the heavy-handed sarcasm of the first portion.

That’s the way Aristophanes structured the play. As usual, the Genesius Guild will use the plot as a framework for re-writing and updating the comedy. This annual, farcical treatment of Aristophanes is a guild tradition, ending a summer of Greek and Shakespearean works in a burst of energy.

Adapting the play means bringing current people and situations into the plot and expanding it - sometimes dropping it altogether - in order to bring
the spirit of Aristophanes’ works - if not the letter - into the present. Song parodies and dances are used to replace most of the choral interludes and some of the dialogue.

Since politics is such a heated subject in this divided country and all are aware of continuing global unrest, there are many possibilities for the adaptation. But no one knows just how it will turn out. The play won’t be re-written until three weeks before it opens.

The comedy ends in a traditional Mack Sennett chase (ask your grandparents who he was), with characters running and leaping in a frantic, three minute routine that ends when everyone collapses in exhaustion.