The Frogs revival with Kevin McHale releases first look photos

Exclusive: Production photos of Kevin McHale and the cast of The Frogs have been released.

The performer is making his UK stage debut in the musical comedy, which has music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Nathan Lane.

Reimagining Aristophanes’ ancient Greek satire, which was originally written in 405 BCE, the story follows Dionysos, the god of theatre, and his servant Xanthias on a journey to the underworld in search of a solution to societal strife. Along the way, they encounter frogs who resist change and challenge their mission to save civilisation.

McHale plays Xanthias, alongside Dan Buckley as Dionysos, Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Herakles, Carl Patrick as Charon, Bart Lambert as Shakespeare and cover Xanthias, Martha Pothen as Shaw and cover Dionysos, Alison Driver as Ariadne and swing, Evonnee Bentley-Holder as ensemble and cover Shaw and Charon, and Milo McCarthy as ensemble/dance captain and cover Shakespeare and Herakles.

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Directed by Georgie Rankcom, a rotating star cast takes on the character of Pluto. Victoria Scone plays the role from 23 to 31 May, with Danielle Steers from 2 to 7 June, Sooz Kempner from 9 to 14 June, and Jo Foster from 16 to 21 June. A final guest performer will appear for the closing week, from 23 to 28 June, with casting yet to be announced.

It is presented by the Grey Area (following their WhatsOnStage Award-nominated 2022 staging of Anyone Can Whistle at Southwark Playhouse) alongside Samsational Entertainment, Benson Drive Productions, Melissa and Bradford Coolidge, Thomas Hopkins Productions, Nelson and Tao and Eric Kuhn for Folk Productions.

Making up the creative team are Ben McQuigg as musical supervisor, Yshani Perinpanayagam as musical director, Matt Nicholson as choreographer, Libby Todd as set and costume designer, Samuel Biondolillo as lighting designer, Joshua Robins as sound designer, Tim Sutton as orchestrator, Peter Noden as casting director, Elliot Aitken as assistant director, Fletcher Dobinson as associate choreographer, Adam Smith as production manager, Waverley Moran as stage manager and Evie Graham-Brown as assistant stage manager. Rebecca Pitt has made the show artwork, Sam Barnes is sound number one and Luke Pisano is wardrobe supervisor.

The Frogs runs at by Southwark Playhouse Borough until 28 June, with an official press night tonight, 27 May.