Ongoing throughout 2019, join City Stage New West at Anvil Centre for the sizzling hot reading series, “Sips ‘n Scripts”, featuring three once-censored comedies all dealing with women’s sexual and financial agency.

In a comfortable living room setting, you can enjoy a beverage from the cash bar and sit back to watch the reading. Or, if you are looking for greater engagement, people are welcome to read supporting roles in partnership with others from the community along-side professional actors from City Stage New West.

Each reading will be followed by a short talk-back session, looking at the play’s censorship and social impact. Events are free (and for ages 16+ only) but seating is limited, so registration is strongly encouraged.

The first event Friday, April 26, from 7:00-9:00 pm, at Anvil Centre (777 Columbia Street), will feature Aristophanes’ steamy, once-banned Lysistrata, with multi-talented Bailey Soleil Creed in the title role. Greek and Spartan women join forces to drive their warring men wild by enacting a universal sex strike to end the war. Too hot for even the ancient Greeks, Lysistrata was banned in America until the 1930’s, and recently inspired Spike Lee’s film, CHI-RAQ. Future readings at Anvil Centre, will include Mae West’s Sex on June 14, from 7:00-9:00 pm, George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, October 11 from 7:00-9:00 pm. Additionally, a special family-friendly holiday edition (for all ages) will feature a reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, December 19, 2019.