"Frogs" by Aristophanes (8 Oct - 11 Oct 2025)

Poster

Director’s NotesWelcome to our first-ever staging of a Greek play (in person, anyway; we did Agamemnon online during lockdown). But why do we bother with a 2,400 year-old play anyway? Why indeed is every other theatre seemingly restaging these ancient stories? It is simply because at the first time of asking, the Greeks both invented theatre and developed it so perfectly that the themes and tropes they examined were eternal and perpetually relevant. Aristophanes’ Frogs, first performed in 405BCE in the final years of the Peloponnesian War and, it turned out, Athens itself, talks about patriotism, the role of culture in a society, the very value of theatre itself, as well as introducing us to the road movie, the buddy flick and the elements of metatheatricality and “breaking the fourth wall” that some of you will soon see in our upcoming pantomime!
The level and quality of cultural and intellectual production during the so-called Classical period of Athens, which saw the invention of philosophy, democracy as well as theatre, is unmatched. There were other great civilisations — Egyptian, Hittite, Babylonian for example — and they made lasting contributions to civilisation. But only the Greeks gave us the cornerstones of Western civilisation that remain today.

What they said
"Congratulations Froggers on a triumphant opening night! The audience in creases, the Classics brought back to life magnificently, I'm still smiling out loud ("what is Latin?" 😂) A fantastic and refreshing modern revival...Huge gratz to all involved x" Richard S

"I do hope I didn’t sound like an idiot laughing at David’s “old man “.  And Chris H’s academic. Priceless. So wonderful to see so many doing bigger roles, and so well. Thanks All!!! Keep going. You are all very talented." Tony T

“Well, last night’s performance was amazingly good! Best performance I’ve seen of The Frogs! I loved it! My favourite part was Elizabeth “doom scrolling”. She was fab. Really well done. I hope you were pleased.” Marietta S

"Well done Chris. Most enjoyable and loved the ‘Greek teacher" Christine L

"Well done indeed everyone. Very entertaining show! 🌟" Alison DC

"Congratulations to all, really enjoyed last nights frogs… wasn’t at all sure what to expect 🤔Really enjoyed it, it was so refreshing to see something quite different and I mostly understood it 😉.
Brilliantly clever adaption and direction Paul, you must be so proud of everyone involved…superb acting, stage management, set design & props, costumes, lighting and music. It was all top notch and so funny 😆 thanks to all! Enjoy the rest of the run xxx" Cressida S

"Chris Hulatt was a revelation!" Arabella HC

"Brekekekex koax koax for my third Frogs this year and the second time across the Styx with Danyal Warsop's sassy translation, first seen at UCL in February. Ingeniously directed and adapted by my Birkbeck Seneca classmate Paul Smith, it's a thoroughly good night out for anyone Classicist or not. There's plenty to admire in the gallic swagger of border guard Frogs demanding Dionysus's passport because of Brekekexit while fine acting and a snappy pace enlivens what can, in less skilful hands, be a less than inspiring second half. Heracles's headdress deserves an ovation of its own, crafted by a startlingly talented 16-year old from a bicycle helmet and some bits of fur. There are a handful of tickets left for the remaining three performances, Oct 9-11, so do hop along!" Cheryl J

“Was that a real classics teacher?” Anon

"Loved it - brilliant, hilarious, surreal, quirky, courageous, prophetic, gripping… and all presented with the customary SMP expertise and professionalism! Congratulations to all!" Sue S

Photos

Programme
2510_frogs_prog.pdf
File Size: 2830 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Cast

​Dionysus (Al Griffith/Paul Smith)
Xanthia (Elizabeth Ollier)
Heracles/Aeacus (Darren Cheers)
Corpse (Christine Lee)
Charon (Chris Jones)
Mr Fotherington MA (Hons)  (Chris Hulatt)
Pluto (Jacob Hodgins)
Aeschylus (David Burles)
Euripides (Arabella Harcourt-Cooze)
​Chorus, Initiates and other parts: (Imogen Measday, Oscar Fieldman, Rebecca Lee, Amelia Barker)

Crew

Director and Adaptation (Paul Smith)
Translation (Danyal Warsop)
Set (Alastair Dewar, Chris Hulatt, Alice Klapwyk, Imogen Measday, Christine Lee)
Stage Manager (Christine Lee)
Stage Team (Marcella Meneses Richardson)
Lighting (Andy Rooney)
Sound (Rachel Fay, Ian Trowbridge, Gareth Sammer, Sue Shorter)
Props (Susan Johnson)
Costumes (Vicki Belcher)
Masks (Lilou Schneekloth-Goldberg)
Poster Design (Ian Trowbridge)
Publicity (Guy Fairbank)
​Front of House (Members & Friends of St Michael's Players)