Feathered comedy takes wing in Buninyong

ALWAYS a good spot to encounter a feathered friend or two, Buninyong Botanic Gardens will play host to a few more colourful birds than usual.

Theatre group, The Bard in Buninyong, is preparing to transport current day audiences to ancient Greece as it presents The Birds by Aristophanes, with multiple outdoor performance dates to be held between February 6-15 at the leafy locale.

“It’s a fascinating play and there’s a lot of aspects to it that are very resonant today, as well as the fact that it’s just a great spectacle,” the production’s director Susan Pilbeam said.

“We’ve also got a fabulous team working on the design of the costumes, and they’re both bird nuts.”

The Birds is a comedy by ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes, often described as the “father of comedy”, and was first performed in Athens in 414BC.

The play follows Pisthetaerus, an Athenian who convinces the birds to create a great city in the sky to regain their status as the original gods.

Through satire, song and dance, Aristophanes offers audiences a playful birds’ eye view of the world in this family-friendly theatrical spectacle.

The Bard in Buninyong is encouraging audiences to bring a picnic rug, nibbles and arrive early to enjoy live pre-show music before each performance.

The live music program is sponsored by Community Bank Buninyong, with performers across the season including Martin & Talia, The Buninyong Players, Winter Berries, Milla Williams Duo, Monday Trippers, Quinta and Friends, Tom and Freya McGowan, and Steve McKenna.

Both evening and matinee performances are scheduled, with tickets available via TryBooking or at the gate.