The Frogs

Southwark Playhouse Borough

Playing until 28th June 2025

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Photo credit: Pamela Reid

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The Grey Area Theatre Company have triumphantly reimagined Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs, catapulting this rarely performed cult musical straight into 2025 with wit, flair, and a glorious sense of irreverence. Embracing the show’s innate eccentricity, the production gleefully blends classical parody with razor-sharp modern references, breathing new life into Sondheim and Shevelove’s intellectual romp. Even from the moment you enter the space, the tone is set with a knowing wink: Crazy Frog and Who Let the Frogs Out prime the audience for the whimsy ahead. Topical improvisation and pop-culture nods enhance the text’s satirical bite, making for a night that’s as self-aware as it is silly.

On this intimate stage at the Southwark Playhouse, there is nowhere to hide, and not a single performer falter. Dan Buckley leads the charge with a stellar turn as Dionysos—passionate, earnest, and brimming with comic energy. His rendition of "Ariadne" is a particular standout: a masterclass in Sondheim with soaring musicality and heartfelt performance that culminates in a genuinely moving emotional crescendo. Kevin McHale proves a perfect Xanthias: effortlessly relaxed and full of winsome charm, he peppers the show with a cheeky wit and impeccable comic timing, anchoring the more surreal moments in something warmly human.

The ensemble, too, are endlessly watchable, especially with Georgie Rankcom’s playfully detailed direction. From Herakles’ protein shake to a perfectly placed Bad Cinderella reference, the show is bursting with visual gags and hysterical accents. The relatively intimate space is used to maximum effect, and Matt Nicholson’s choreography is inventive and crisp, particularly in large ensemble numbers like ‘Hymn to Dionysos’ and ‘Shaw.’ These moments shine thanks to the seamless collaboration between Nicholson, musical director Yshani Perinpanayagam, and director Rankcom, together crafting numbers that are not only cohesive but at times genuinely spellbinding.

A special mention must go to Victoria Scone, who commands the stage as Pluto with smooth charisma, delicious camp, and a knowing glint in her eye. Her performance is magnetic: slinky, confident, and impossible to look away from. It’s a brilliant example of the production’s confidence: willing to lean into spectacle and fun, but never at the expense of intelligence or intention.

The costuming is clever and largely effective, making inventive use of Romanesque silhouettes rendered in modern textiles. However, the large Styrofoam elements used during the titular ‘Frogs’ number hung awkwardly around the dancers’ necks and feel like a rare misstep. Though the cast handles them with professionalism, the props distract from the sleek choreography. In this case, less is more. Still, this is a small quibble and I’ll be damned if I let it take away from my review.

This reimagining of The Frogs is bold, joyfully chaotic, and full of surprises—a true breath of fresh air in a world where musical theatre so often conforms to cookie-cutter rules and devices. Don’t just run, leap to it.

Creatives

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim

Director: Georgie Rankcom

Choreographer: Matt nicholson

Musical Director: Yshani Perinpanayagam

Set & Costume Designer: Libby Todd

Lighting Designer: Samuel Biondolillo

Sound Designer: Joshua Robins