Aristophanes’ The Birds tells the story of an ordinary Athenian, Makedo, who sets out with his friend, Goodhope, to escape the hustle and bustle of congested city life. Tired of the law courts, crooked politics, false oracles, and military antics of their fellow citizens (sound familiar?) they resolve to seek out a place to live where they can end their days in peace and tranquility. Our heroes soon discover that there is no place in the known world that can evade the far reaching clutches of the Athenian Empire. However, a passing hoopoe tells of his life with the birds, and their easy existence of eating and loving. Makedo hatches an amazing idea - they will found a city of the birds and live among them. Obvious when you think about it!

By Aristophanes.
Assistant direction by Ben Longthorne, DJ Johnson and James Marshall.
Directed by Pete Darwent.