Honk

A STHONKING  HIT!!! So much Fun !!!!  The Musical follows Ugly’s journey from the moment he hatches as an outcast and then gets lost. He is hunted every step of the way by the not so cunning Cat and his diligent mother Ida . Full of heart-warming moments and humour, this is a truly emotional story of an ugly duckling’s journey to become a swan!!. Of course we don’t know that till the end.  Lee David Chantry Excelled to a very high standard to bring this “Honk “to fruition. Scenes with the whole cast are a testament to this. I can see a lot of hard work has been done. I believe this is one of Lee’s firsts as a director. I feel sure; this will not be the last!!! Here’s hoping anyway. Perfect casting and direction from Lee.  Peter Bailey Musical Director excels again at conducting his band and, despite the large numbers, each member of the cast gives their all during songs which helps create a well-rounded choral sound.  The set is often bathed in warm light. It's magical in a very theatrical way, this being due to excellent costumes (Jo Kimber and Julie Smith) and some superb lighting(no name in Programme).  Lee gets some excellent work from his actors, all the more impressive because so many are in their first leads. Ugly (Toby Turpin) commands the stage with an excellent characterization of Ugly his vulnerability was perfect his acting and singing were first class, well done in his first lead role with GDS.  (Rachel Ann Crane) as Ida, Ugly’s mother is a wonderfully strong female lead as she creates a very Mumsy character and displays her emotions wonderfully, and, who has a beautifully expressive voice, and her songs effectively rendered and very easy on the ear perfect casting.  Drake/Bull Frog (Lee Round), Ugly’s father, pulls focus well at the start of the piece he takes control of the first scene. His singing is melodic and he delivers some of the more humorous lines with egg-cellent poultry puns. The other ducklings (Kaitlin Smith, Nicole Gillespie, Aaron Ramsden, and Joe Warrilow) are adorable and perform their roles of out casting Ugly well. Jack Read is dynamically delightful as the Cat.  Great comedy timing from two older stalwarts of GDS, Queenie (Jeni Boyns) and Lowbutt (Debbie Brennan), these two ladies gave us  hilarious comedy as did Gerald Flanagan as Turkey with his craggy neck.  Greyleg (Larry Davies) took command of his role with aplomb, as did ( Tonia Plowman) as Dot/Her Grace and (Lewis Mathews) as Jack. Daw/Barnacles. (Millie Longhurst) portrayed a graceful Penny the swan.  Choreographers Emma Hodge & Bethany Kimber showed their skills in dance to get their talented chorus to dance in flippers, great!!  I am always greeted and hosted well by GDS”s Jeanette Davis, given a superbly designed programme by Rebecca Lehmann.  GDS thanks you for an egg-citing and dramatically sound production in every way.

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