Having taught Greek theatre in some guise or another since starting my teaching career in 2011, I was interested to read Meineck's edition of the Frogs to see if it offered anything new from those I have read before. While I do not pretend to have read a multitude of different translations of the Frogs, I was not disappointed with this version and feel it does offer a different approach to others available.

To begin with the more common points, the introduction contains all a student or teacher would need to fully understand the play. Firstly, the reader is provided with a clear and concise historical and cultural background to the play spread over 15 pages. This also includes sub-divided information on all the conventions of Old Comedy including festivals, the theatre building, masks, costumes, props, music and staging. Secondly, Meineck provides the reader with a 36-page character information list. While this goes beyond what is needed for A Level, with my teaching hat on I found this to be a really useful resource for students of all abilities in my classes for three reasons; firstly, it provided them with clear general information on who the character was; secondly, their wider cultural significance such as their use in other literature and art; and finally, analysis of their role in the play, including some specific scene analysis.

With regards to the presentation of the translation there are several features that were useful; firstly, the translator has opted for footnotes as opposed to endnotes or regular pages of sidenotes. While this will be down to the reader's personal preference, I felt that this approach allowed for a greater flow to the reading of the play, as the reader can still make quick reference to any additional support needed without having to flick to the back of the book or get distracted by lengthy pages of analysis on every other page. The footnotes themselves are relatively concise, and when combined with the introduction and character list information, contain all that is needed to understand the text.

Looking at the translation itself, the vast majority stays true to existing editions of the play and is accessible to readers of all abilities. I think there is one clear difference in this edition compared to others – what Meineck has done with the chorus. In his own words he has ‘chosen a more radical method than perhaps other translators … that is, to capture the essence of the idea of parody and transpose the ancient lyrics onto contemporary popular music’. To give an example, the musical duel between the frogs and Dionysus is done to the rhythm and rhyme of Highway to Hell by AC/DC with the frogs throughout singing ‘he's on a causeway to hell!’ I found this to be a refreshing modern take which I agree with the translator is fully in the spirit of Aristophanes. I must admit that, being in my mid-30s, a few of the artists used were before my time and required a quick music search for reference; however, I did find that this approach helped to breathe greater life into the text and went a little way to capturing what it might have been like for the ancient audience. Again, with my teaching hat on I have used this as a way of helping my own students capture the mood of the play and asked them to devise their own songs as a way of understanding the play.

While there is a requirement for students to use the prescribed set text translations, I certainly feel that there are elements of this edition that would make it a worthwhile purchase for a department. Additionally, for those not teaching the play who would like to start their exploration into Greek comedy, or for those more seasoned readers looking for an interesting take on the work of Aristophanes, this is a worthwhile read.