Of Frogs

“Magic. Touches the soul in the most poignant of ways.”

Of Frogs is a magical, playful performance which takes its audience on a journey through soaring soundscapes, stunning vocals, and intriguing shadow play, evoking the life cycles of frogs, human connection with nature and destruction.

Sitting on either side of a landscape of delicately lit water vessels and curious instruments, the audience experience in close proximity a story unfold. Three virtuosic musician-performers weave a mysterious world evoking the fragility and beauty of our ecosystems through exquisite vocals, percussion and shadow, all interacting with water.

Of Frogs is inspired by the sounds and rhythms of our local waterways and the Gamelan which has strongly informed co-creator Ria Soemardjo’s artistic background through her Javanese heritage. Although not originally created for a young audience, we found through our premiere season in September 2022, that it appealed to audiences of all ages.

Creative Team

Co-creator, vocalist & musician
Ria Soemardjo

Co-creator, writer & director
Sandra Fiona Long

Collaborators & Multi-instrumentalists
Ron Reeves & Jeremy Dullard

Lighting designer
Emma Lockhart-Wilson

Creative Producer
Kath Papas Productions

 

Production & Media Team

Stage manager & lighting operator
Cole McKenna

Promotion images
Darren Gill

Performance images (above)
Gregory Lorenzutti

Videographer
Coby Orger

Recording
AJ Bradford

Performance History

7 – 17 Sep 2022
Australia Premiere
At Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
Melbourne Australia

 

Reviews

“A stunning show – immersive, informed, humourous, intricate, and exceptional.“

“Wish I could take the show home to listen to again and again.“

Support & Acknowledgement

Supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants

Of Frogs was first seeded through Speak Percussion’s SD Lab 2021. It was developed and presented in 2022 with support from Darebin Arts Speakeasy.

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We create, work and play on the lands of the Wurundjeri People people of the Kulin nations. We acknowledge that this land has never been ceded and always try to tread gently on this land. 
© 2025 Sandra Fiona Long
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