Honk the Musical

A Stiles and Drewe collaboration based on the well-known tale of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ by Hans Christian Anderson with delightful music throughout was a perfect production to enjoy as the festive season approached for both adults and children alike. A celebration of being different is the theme – the moral of acceptance to be appreciated with the strong bond of love overcoming all. This musical was both comedic and moving.

Back projection showed a set of beautiful bucolic images with the stage empty of furniture except for a bench and in Act 2 a cottage settee and afternoon tea trolley. A rostrum built across the back with a set of central steps created the water’s edge. There are four egg shaped chairs to each side with one larger in the middle. Seated are young ducklings in trendy yellow/orange garb, baseball caps giving the impression of beaks and holding see-through brollies. These are ducklings waiting to hatch and the central one, somewhat larger is where eventually late and slightly different from the rest ‘honking’ anomaly Ugly is hatched. He appears in grey school uniform, shirt hanging out, short trousers and again baseball cap – tall, awkward, shy but most enthusiastic he is shunned by his father and siblings, the rest of the farmyard animals, gets lost and lonely on the marshes and eventually reunited. During this time, the duplicitous, hungry Cat is determined to bag him as a culinary delight, but much to the audience’s delight  is thwarted at every turn ending in meltdown. A skein of geese headed by goose Squadron Leader Greylag and caring wife Dot assist him in the journey. A wonderful sympathetic Bullfrog assists too. Meanwhile his determined, devoted mother is searching to find him. A beautiful young swan Penny appears and getting herself entangled in netting, Ugly comes to the rescue. She doesn’t forget his kindness and returns in the spring, they fall in love and all see the ugly duckling is now a gloriously wonderful swan and the couple decide the stay on the farmyard pond!

The cast were Henry Robinson, perfect both musically and vocally, especially in his ‘honking’ making our hearts break ‘being different’ as Ugly. Tristan Hyde performed a strong Drake, sporting breeches and tweed jacket and perfect green cap  as of a mallard head, doubling to characterise a regimental Greylag squadron leader as well as kind Bullfrog. His duckwife Ida, hardworking, caring mother duck was sympathetically acted and sung by Tamara Leggett, costumed in full skirted grey dress, white apron complete with feather finishes around the neck and as a headdress most convincing. We love to have a character to dislike and Ruth Parsons in sleek belted pin striped jacket, created a sly, lying, and conniving duplicitous Cat in both vocals and accomplished facial expressions. Kelsie Black played a most majestic Grace topped with splendid feather headdress as well as Lowbutt, with Jemima Bowler the beautiful dancing swan Penny as well as Queenie, sleek cottage dwelling domestic cat and Henrietta. Liam Banks, Alaska Hilton, Remi Mercer, and Freya Sanderson were the nimble four ducklings, and with the addition of Freya Sanderson and Milo Ward with Ted McIntosh became a synchronised goose formation team and a troupe of froglets, with Milo and Ted a couple of bright-eyed fish. Libby Annetts played the notable head teacher on the Farm wearing black gown with splendid red neck ruffle as Turkey, regal Mother Swan and Maggie Pie whilst Victoria Rowland was Maureen a loud mother duck confidant to Ida and soloist.

Musically very strong with confident harmony – lyrics always audible and accompanied superbly by MD pianist Oscar Smith from upstage, but out of my vision. Interesting, fluid movement was created by Jackie Hutt with a good mix of observed animal traits included. Overseeing the whole production was experienced director Chris Lacey extending use of the auditorium stairs for action too, and together with the imaginative costuming from Dee Harvey and Gill Jenks,  effects, lighting and sound team plus SM, ASMs and props department, water and snow scenes beautifully worked with material most effective this was a most enjoyable professional team performance.

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