Production images for Grace Wessels production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical The Frogs have been released ahead of its UK premiere at Jermyn Street Theatre this evening (16th March).
This production is based on the 2004 Broadway production and includes a book revised and expanded by Nathan Lane.
The Frogs 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 honor of becoming reincarnated: The Bard or Bernard?
This rarely performed Sondheim musical combines Greek comedy and satire, including seven new Stephen Sondheim songs.
It is loosely based on on a comedy written in 405 BC by Aristophanes, freely adapted for today by Burt Shevelove, before it was adapted once again by Nathan Lane.
The cast for the production includes Michael Matus as Dionysos,George Rae as Xanthias, Bernadette Bangura, Martin Dickinson Li-Tong Hsu,Chris McGuigan, Nigel Pilkington,
Emma Ralston and Jonathan Wadey.
Meanwhile, the creative team for the production includes designs by Gregor Donnelly and musical direction by Tim Sutton.
The Frogs plays at the Jermyn Street Theatre until the 8th April. For more information visit: http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/the-frogs/.