Box of Frogs 1

Box of Frogs was an epic achievement. Commissioned in 2011 by Unlimited. There were 5 performers and 2 musicians who played live on stage. Each performer had two sides to their personalities/behaviour that presented stark contrasts symptomatic of Bipolar Disorder. The premise was, what if Circus IS Bipolar Disorder. The show is discussed in details by Laura Murphy in her PHD paper ‘Deconstructing the Spectacle'.’ For a fascinating academic perspective on this use of circus as metaphor, the paper can be found here - BoF is discussed in pages 98 to 108.

Two short films created for The Space, with some lovely footage of the performers, can be found here. At the time Mish was making work under the name Stumble danceCircus.

Box of Frogs was widely appreciated. It was brave and brilliant. Troubling and entertaining in equal measures. Children were able to enjoy it at face value - people being sad, happy, angry, and many people related either thier own lived experience or that of family or friends.

Total Theatre review. We toured as much as we could in a climate in which shows about mental health were not popular and it was hard to secure bookings. Works in Progress showing at The Zion Centre, Manchester and Alhambra Theatre, Bradford. In 2012 we played at The Southbank Centre, London, Circomedia, Bristol,  Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe, Arc, Stockton-on-Tees, Contact Theatre, Manchester , Lochgelly Centre Theatre, Fife, Carriageworks, Leeds, Jacksons Lane, London, Preston People’s day, Preston.

Performers Kaveh Rahnama and Chris Patfield