The Birds - Aristophanes

Hawk Rock Theatre returns to present The Birds by Aristophanes. First performed 2458 years ago, it is the original irreverent comedy. The show features Hawk Rock Theatre’s unique costumes, music, puppetry, and visual surprises.

The story follows Basil and Sybil, two Athenians who persuade the world's birds to create a new city in the sky, Cloud Cuckooland, so that they can gain control over all communications between men and the gods. “Rule the media, rule the WORLD”! After negotiating with the birds and many gods (including Poseidon, Hercules, and Prometheus), Basil succeeds at replacing Zeus as the pre-eminent power in the cosmos. Some see Birds as a pure fantasy, while others see it as a political satire on imperialistic dreams. Despite the title, it is a far cry from the Hitchcock horror film!

Hawk Rock Theatre’s production features brilliantly plumaged costumes, zany musical numbers and, of course, bird’s singing their hearts out. The costumes, sets and the shadow puppetry are all hand crafted by the troupe.

The Birds is Hawk Rock Theatre's latest flight into bringing classic literature and theater to life. In 2013, they performed The Canterbury Tales. In 2015, they performed Puppets in Peril, based on the poetry of Rumi, Robert Service, and Robert Burns. And in 2016, the epic Beowulf. Don’t miss a moment of this flighty production! The birds are on the wing!