Actor takes reins for Greek classic

TIMELESS COMEDY: Miles Eckford is making his debut as director with the Greytown Little Theatre's production of Aristophanes' The Frogs this February. PHOTO/ALISA YONG

The Greytown Little Theatre's newest director is bringing a classic Greek play to life.

Miles Eckford is making his debut as director at the theatre with a tongue-in-cheek production of Aristophanes' comedy, The Frogs.

Eckford, who starred in the Little Theatre's last play, is now trying his hand at directing.

"Things are progressing better than expected but I don't want to jinx myself.

"People have worked hard to build that theatre and I would like to try to preserve the tradition of staging great plays there."

The play's assistant director, Victoria Ross, had been crucial to helping him learn the ins and outs of the role, Eckford said.

The Frogs, which features a cast of 12 actors, tells the story of the god Dionysus' travels to the underworld to bring back a playwright from the dead.

He had performed it as a student at Rathkeale College and believed it was a classic that stood the test of time, Eckford said. "I think even though it's so old it translates really well into modern times ... and I hope [audiences] will be thoroughly amused.

"Probably one of the best things about it is there's a few people in there who haven't acted before so it's good that people are getting out of their comfort zone and are having a go."

The production will also feature a chorus of singers led by Kuranui College music teacher Trish Webster.

The play opens on February 11 and runs until February 14 and is part of this year's Greytown Arts Festival, which kicks off on February 13.-Performances begin at 8pm each evening and pre-sale tickets can be purchased now from the Village Art Shop in Greytown, phone 06 304 8255.