Round and Round Hogarth's Round About
Buy or beg for tickets for this 5-star productions says Susan Stanley-Carroll
A robust and riveting conversation between two very different personalities. Picture: Matt Hunter
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February 15, 2026
Unequivocally the very best production I have seen at The Tabard Theatre. “Round About Hogarth’. It deserves 5 glorious golden stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) as the script, actors, direction, set and lighting ticked every box.
My surprise, at delighting in this production, is unbelievable; my role, for the past nineteen years as a voluntary Chiswick House Guide, coloured my expectations. I anticipated a glum evening. What actor could fulfil the role of that eighteenth century celebrity William Hogarth?
However, Terence Frisch, when he appeared on the stage as Hogarth could have been an apparition that had leapt from Hogarth’s plinth in Chiswick High Road or torn the canvas to scramble out of his portrait in the Tate Gallery.
Terence thrilled us with William’s wit and wisdom. Every word he delivered was plausible and oh, ‘his Montero cap’, known so well by his many admirers during the past 300 years.
David Garrick! What actor, I mused, could possibly play such an eighteenth century flamboyant, legend who often, with his wife, graced Lord Burlington’s Palladian ‘new build’? Well! Was this another apparition? No, it was Miles Richardson as David Garrick.
The conversation that ensued between two such different personalities was robust and riveting. Gareth Armstrong’s script nailed every word spoken between Hogarth and Garrick - witty, informative, sustained and delivered with the greatest aplomb. Yet, at times, palpably poignant - I yearned for their ‘chat’ to continue for hours.
Miles Richardson at David Garrick. Picture: Matt Hunter
Gareth Armstrong’s research is ‘spot on’ and his subtle, perceptive flowing script is based on reputable evidence. His direction is inspired yet unobtrusive. The play is set partly in Hogarth’s studio that has an innovative backdrop of empty picture frames displaying changing images that relate to each scene.
Terence Frisch as William Hogarth. Picture: Matt Hunter
The costumes are designed by Rachael Griffin who also created the set. Oh! Oh! Hogarth’s cap is ‘to die for’ a perfect replica from his self portrait. Oh! Oh! I want it, and want it now!
Gareth Armstrong’s production should not be missed. My dream is to watch it again in the Garrick Theatre maybe combined with a second play about Lord Burlington and William Kent? !
‘Round About Hogarth’ is a stroke of genius, though as Hogarth himself would say: “I know of no such things as genius, genius is nothing more but labour and diligence”.
Susan Stanley-Carroll
Round About Hogarth runs at the Tabard Theatre from 4 to 21 February.
Please check out and visit Hogarth's House and Chiswick House and Gardens
5–14 February: £23.50 General Admissions /£19.50 concessions
18–21 February: £25.50 General Admissions /£21.50 concessions
For booking and further details, visit the Tabard Theatre website or contact the box office directly.
4 to 21 February - Garrick vs Hogarth at the Tabard Theatre
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