Honk

I was delighted to be invited to this production having no knowledge of the musical but when George Stiles and Anthony Drewe are involved you know you are to witness something special and this certainly was . The direction and Choreography by Claire Harriot was of the highest order , the movement , shaping and usage of the  whole wide stage ,along with small stage left and stage right extensions, was excellent . The production moved along seamlessly with all the actors making their individual roles their own . The vision from Claire with so many subtle directions shone through . Your MD  Matt Symonds must feel truly proud with the highest standard of singing , the harmonies were clear to hear and from solos through to the full ensemble numbers ,every song was a pleasure to hear . 

Wales Community Theatre Players , the clues are in your society name . Community . Looking through your programme how lovely to see so many family names repeating not only on stage but involved at all levels . The Company traditionally performs an annual Pantomime along with a summer concert but after many years of discussion about taking on a full Musical  this was their first production , after this I don't think it will be their last . Truly outstanding .  The sound was expertly run by Dave Gregory , and Tom Dyson assisted by Josh Cooper with the lighting . Their combined skills carried out expertly ,well done . The stage was simple ,with clever use of flats , uncomplicated but worked really well along with the atmospheric under the water scene . The costume team should be complemented ,beautiful costuming throughout .Well done . 

Honk is a real family musical  with plenty of characters , songs of the highest order , with comedy in abundance and your whole production team are to be complimented for bringing out all the laugh out loud moments . Every performer is an animal , ducks, geese, swans ,JackDaws, frogs  and I particularly enjoyed the body language portrayed . 

Ida is played by Karen Wilkins , the mum of four tiny ducklings and one large ??? HONK , a heartwarming performance , lots of high quality singing and acting bringing out all the emotions when torn between looking after the ducklings or going in search of Honk . Will Marshall as Drake , Daddy . A powerful performer with a special singing voice and delivering so many quality lines . Hi Kids I'm your Dad , offering them four rubber swimming rings , very funny and doubling as Greylag ,another great performance , and along with a group of ensemble players in the The Wild Goose scene , played and danced so well . Queeny played by Hollie Riley , another wonderful performer with an excellent singing voice , involved in many memorable scenes , well done . Eve Rowles as Grace and Pinkfoot , Being involved in many of the numbers and comic scenes well done . Ugly played by Joseph Bairstow , a large part requiring so many theatre skills , singing and acting all carried out beautifully. I particularly enjoyed all your scenes with the Cat played by Daniel Schofield, the villain of the show complete with a french accent . Later in the musical Joseph  shows all his emotions with your newfound Swan love interest . The Cat , so many guises , you must have had such fun developing the differing characters.Alison Wade as Maureen and Mother Swan , more excellent singing and acting being involved in many of the scenes a large character part performed well. Lowbutt and also Dot played by Lynne Addis , my compliments go on and on ,some wonderfully delivered lines and the cottage scene with Queenie. Well done , The Turkey played by Michael Bond who constantly hoped to see past Xmas day and also as the memorable frog ,A handsome Prince in a frog outfit . What a truly special scene that was, so well written and delivered with such panache bringing out every ounce of comedy . Well done .

Lucy Hayes as Henrietta , Leah Gourdin as Penny , Tom Ingall as Jack Daw ,Abby Phillips as Snowy along with Chris Hayter as Barnacles and Father Swan played their cameo roles really well .

The junior ducklings should all be very proud of their performances , Maddison Marshall as Fluff , Charles Wright as Billy , Libbie Rowbotham as Beaky and Chloe Robertson as Downy . You lit up the stage with your performances , such a pleasure to see youngsters with so much stage presence , clear clarity in you line delivery and confidence in your singing , well done to you all . Not forgetting the senior Ducklings Oliver Hayes as Billy, Mollie Antcliff as Fluff, Miley Shaw as Beaky and Harriet Buxton as Downy ,,once again ell done to you all , and I look forward to seeing you all as you take on further roles in theatre . Finally the remaining ensemble who along with the whole cast gave outstanding performances . 

This production was a privilege to watch , see and thoroughly enjoy. Your first musical , an almost full house and lets hope those few remaining Saturday tickets will now be sold when people hear how good it was . 

On behalf of Sylvia and myself congratulations on an outstanding production in every respect and for the hospitality shown . 

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