Peace

Peace (Greek: Εἰρήνη, Eirēnē) is an Athenian Old Comedy written and produced by the Greek playwright Aristophanes.

The original text
It won second prize at the City Dionysia where it was staged just a few days before the Peace of Nicias was validified (421 BC), which promised to end the ten year old Peloponnesian War. The play is notable for its joyous anticipation of peace and for its celebration of a return to an idyllic life in the countryside. However, it also sounds a note of caution, there is bitterness in the memory of lost opportunities and the ending is not happy for everyone. As in all Aristophanes's plays, the jokes are numerous, the action is wildly absurd and the satire is savage.

Translations and adaptations
Translated into Afrikaans by Nerina Ferreira, entitled Vrede.

Performance history in South Africa
1983: Vrede was directed for CAPAB by Peter Kleinschmidt in August, starring Johan Malherbe, George Ballot, Elsabé Zietsman, Marié Human, Percy Sieff, Mees Xteen, André Roothman. The choir: Dawid Minnaar, Cedric Adamson, Peter Butler, Charmaine Potgieter, André Roothman. Music by Marilyn Taylor, decor and costumes by Peter Cazalet, lighting by Malcolm Hurrell.