Review: The Frogs at Southwark Playhouse – A Playful Plunge into the Underworld
- Sarah
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There’s a certain kind of thrill when Southwark Playhouse dusts off a rarely seen gem and breathes new life into it. The Frogs – a quirky concoction of Aristophanes, Sondheim, and Nathan Lane – is one of those oddities that sounds mad on paper, and here, in Georgie Rankcom’s hands, it’s joyously, hilariously bonkers on stage too.
Adapted by Burt Shevelove and even more freely by Nathan Lane, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this is a show that demands you lean into the chaos. Best advice? Read the synopsis before you go—because without a bit of homework, the plot might feel like a wonderfully stylish fever dream.
The production of the Frogs opens with a cheeky nod: “No, it’s not quite West End.” That single line lands with a wink and a knowing laugh from the crowd—perfectly capturing Southwark Playhouse’s charm. It sets the tone for a show that knows exactly what it is: clever, camp, and completely unconcerned with behaving.
This is not a musical that takes itself too seriously, and thank Dionysos for that. From the moment our toga-clad hero (played with gloriously chaotic charm by Dan Buckley) steps onto the stage with his snarky sidekick Xanthias (the effortlessly funny Kevin McHale), it’s clear we’re in for a romp. The chemistry between the two is pitch-perfect, somewhere between Laurel and Hardy and a bickering couple on a chaotic city break. Every gag lands, every eyebrow-raise is milked, and their comedic timing is as precise as a metronome.
The frogs themselves—tap-dancing dissenters of the status quo—are a joy, and Matt Nicholson’s choreography gives them a jazzy, anarchic edge. Georgie Rankcom’s direction keeps everything moving at a joyful clip, blending slapstick, satire, and just enough pathos to keep it from becoming fluff.
On the night we visited, Pluto was played by none other than Victoria Scone – a genuine trailblazer as the only cis woman to compete on Drag Race. She was, in a word, fabulous. Deliciously devilish and decked out like Hades’ most glamorous club owner, she commanded the stage with lashings of wit and charm. It was impossible to take your eyes off her – a real highlight.
We were thrilled to see Joaquin Pedro Valdes in the cast—having admired him since Death Note: The Musical—though his role as Heracles felt underused. He strutted on like a protein-shake Adonis and nailed the comic beats, but we couldn’t help wishing for a bigger number or meatier moment for him.
One of the standout comedic turns comes from Carl Patrick as Charon, the stoned boatman of the River Styx. With glazed eyes, dazed grins, and a drawl that slows time, Patrick’s performance is pure comic gold. His impeccable timing turns every line into a punchline and every pause into a belly laugh, and we get to meet his angry twin brother too.
Our only real quibble? At times the live band—brilliantly led by Yshani Perinpanayagam—did slightly overpower the vocals. But that’s the trade-off with live music, and frankly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a treat to see a fringe musical embrace the full richness of a band in the room.
The Frogs is a gloriously weird, irreverent celebration of theatre, philosophy, and the power of a good gag. You’ll laugh, you’ll tap your toes, and you might just come away feeling a tiny bit more hopeful about the state of the world.
🎟️ The Frogs runs until 28 June 2025 at Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, SE1 6BD.Book tickets at southwarkplayhouse.co.uk or call 020 7407 0234.
