The rarely performed Stephen Sondheim musical The Frogs is to leap its way into London and the Jermyn Street Theatre from the 14th March 2017.
Based loosely on a comedy written in 405 BC by Aristophanes, Stephen Sondheim’s musical version adapted by Burt Shevelove, and even more freely adapted by Nathan Lane will appear at the London theatre from the 14th March until the 8th April 2017.
This boisterously hilarious yet poignant musical follows Dionysos, Greek god of wine and drama, and his slave Xanthias on a journey to Hades to collect renowned critic and playwright George Bernard Shaw so that he may enlighten the easily misled and coerced masses of Earth. Along this journey, Dionysos and Xanthias meet Herakles, Charon, Pluto, and of course, the chorus of frogs. Then, Shakespeare shows up and starts declaiming his greatest hits; and before long he engages in a battle of words with Mr. Shaw. Who will win the honour of becoming reincarnated: The Bard or Bernard?
The Frogs was originally performed in Yale University’s gymnasium’s swimming pool in 1974, featuring members of the Yale swimming team, and Meryl Streep and Sigourney Weaver in its ensemble. For this latest production, last seen on Broadway in 2004, includes seven new Sondheim songs.
Broadway star Nathan Lane had decided to expand the original version of the musical in 2001, saying: “After September 11 … I started to think, There’s something in this piece right now. … There’s something idealistic about the notion of someone believing that the arts can make a difference … I found it moving, in light of what is going on in the world.”
This UK premiere production will be directed by Grace Wessels and features designs by Gregor Donnelly. Casting for the production has yet to be confirmed.
The Frogs will play at the Jermyn Street Theatre from the 14th March until the 8th April 2017. For more information and to book tickets visit: http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/the-frogs/.