Tabard Theatre Presents HONK!, 10 Dec-13 Jan

This Christmas, the Tabard Theatre presents a brand new production of Stiles and Drewe's Olivier award winning show Honk!

As 'Ugly' is hatched under the adoring gaze of his proud mum, Ida, his musical adventures begin. Soon after Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly escapes but has no idea how to return home. Along his way, he encounters a beautiful Swan, a flock of Geese and a Bullfrog to mention but a few.

Since it first hatched in 1993, Stiles & Drewe's musical Honk! has winged its way around the world in over 8000 productions. A world-wide stage sensation that has been seen by over 5 million people, Honk! has won multiple awards including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical.

George Stiles and Anthony Drewe have strong connections with the Tabard Theatre. In 2010, the Tabard Theatre produced Stiles and Drewe's first musical Just So (based on the Just So stories by Rudyard Kipling) and in 2011, Anthony Drewe directed the Tabard Theatre's production of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.

Honk! is directed by Madeleine Loftin who recently directed the Tabard Theatre's production of Tom Stoppard's Jumpers. She is joined by resident designer Chris Hone and choreography is by acclaimed West End star Mark White (Ghost, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line) who also stars as Ugly's father Drake. Anthony Drewe has been involved in the auditioning and casting process and has attended rehearsals and production meetings.

This Ugly duckling musical, featuring a live band and a cast of 10, boasts a score brimming with wit, melody and unexpected emotion that will enchant and delight the whole family.

The cast includes Kathryn Rutherford (Ida), Katie Scott (Maureen/Snowy/Queenie), Lydia Grant (Grace/Dot/Low Butt), Marina Kelman (Henrietta/Pinkfoot/Penny), Lydia Jenkins (Fluff), Joe Sterling (Ugly), Tim Oxbrow (The Cat), Alex Papachristou (Turkey/Barnacles/Bullfrog), Benjamin Vivian-Jones (Beaky), and Mark White (Drake/Greylag).

The production team is made up of director Madeleine Loftin, designer Chris Hone, choreographer Mark White, musical director Tom Theakston, and lighting designer Alexander Ridgers.

For schedule and ticket information, visit www.tabardtheatre.co.uk or call 0208 995 6035.

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