little theatre company presents based on Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Ugly Duckling’ music by george stiles book & lyrics by anthony drewe Greetings and welcome to the Palace Theatre SOME for LTC’s production of HONK! If you’ve never seen the show before, or even if you have, you’re in for a real treat. Packed full of comedy, wonderful music and some really touching moments, it’s a fun family show with a EGGS really strong message - “Different is just... different”. Looking ahead, 2014 promises to be another very exciting year for us. In April we’ll be staging the local amateur premiere of the outrageously funny musical Avenue Q. If you’re not familiar with this show, please don’t be fooled by the fluffy puppets, this show is not for kids! So book your babysitters now and get ready for a fantastic night out. CAN’T BE Our autumn show next year is the West End hit Witches of Eastwick, which is sure to be another wonderful spectacle. Thank you for supporting your local theatre. We really appreciate your patronage and hope you love HONK! as much as we do. Regards, BEATEN! Darren Harper, Chairman This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd. director’s note Henrietta.....................................Katie Pendrigh synopsis of scenes & musical numbers Chick . Chris Jolly I remember back in 2000 being told by my father that his theatre company Maureen ....................................Sarah Mummery On just an ordinary farm in England, a baby duckling (along with his four siblings) is born to Ida and Drake. Soon realising that he is “different” from the usual (of which I was a member) would be performing a new and exciting show. I Baby Magpie . .Rebecca Perry-Gamble brood he is quickly shunned by Drake, the other ducklings and the rest of the poultry community. Lured away by the sneaky and rather hungry Cat (posing as also remember my reaction when I was told what it was – HONK! What on Carrier Pigeon . Chris Lidgard his only friend), Ugly soon finds himself in all kinds of adventures, meeting all manner of colourful and hilarious farmyard animals while trying to find his mama earth is that! Well, I bet many people have said exactly the same thing when and the rest of the brood. He is closely pursued by the Cat and his worried mother Ida who never gives up hope in finding him. they know very little about it. I also bet that, like me, once they’ve had the Ida .......................................Stephanie Wilson pleasure of either seeing or performing in it they are instantly taken by the Her Grace . .Sue Morley ACT ONE wonderful music and the host of amazing characters. ACT TWO Cat..........................................Simon Bristoe Scene I – Various locations around the duckyard. Spring Entr’acte Since that time, it has been a burning ambition of mine to direct HONK! and I Beaky ........................................Laura Harper A Poultry Tale...................Drake, Ida, Cat, Henrietta, Maureen, Scene I – The old woman’s cottage. Late Summer must confess that during my time as chairman, I (perhaps selfishly) persuaded . .Turkey, Grace, Company the committee to produce the show. Fluff . Gemma Carracher It Takes All Sorts . Queenie, Lowbutt Billy . Jamie Redgate The Joy of Motherhood . Ida, Maureen There are three reasons why I love this show so much, the main one being that Together . Cat, Queenie, Lowbutt Downy.....................................Laurelle Gallimore Different (Pre-Reprise)....................................Ida in addition to the three principal roles (Ida, Ugly and the Cat), there are so Scene II – The duckyard. Late Autumn Hold Your Head Up High ...........................Ida, Ugly, Fish many more larger than life characters which require just as much hard work to Ugly . Darren Harper The Collage . .Drake, Ida, Company bring them to life. This is a great feature that you don’t see often in other shows. Fish . Caroline Ahmet, John Blatchford, Laura Browne, Look At Him...................Ida, Drake, Ugly, Maureen, Henrietta, Secondly, the whole essence of this story is so apt in today’s society. We don’t . .Julian Cottee, Chris Jolly, Chris Lidgard, Katie Pendrigh, . .Turkey, Ducklings, Cat, Grace, Company Scene III – A collage, various locations choose to be who we are or how we look, we are born that way. Being different . Rebecca Perry-Gamble, Victoria Tewes, Laura Witherall Different . Ugly The Collage (Cont’d) .......Ida, Greylag, Queenie, Lowbutt, Cat, Company is a truly wonderful thing and we must learn not to judge a book by its cover. Little Boy (Voice) . Chris Lidgard Scene II – The Cat’s lair, inside one of the farm buildings Scene IV – A ditch on the moors. Late Autumn Life would simply be so boring if we were all the same! Finally, this was one of my father’s favourite shows to produce and I remember seeing his smiling DSI Ducks .........Joan Hubbard, Judy Laurence, Rebecca Perry-Gamble Play With Your Food . Cat, Ugly Now I’ve Seen You . Ugly face in the audience every night brimming with pride. He taught me so much Floor Manager . Chris Jolly Lost . Ugly Warts And All .............................Bullfrog, Ugly, Froglets and gave me his wealth of knowledge about the theatre. I miss him terribly but Camera Man . Chris Lidgard Scene III – The duckyard, later that evening The Blizzard.......................................Company find comfort in knowing he’s probably watching this show with a big smile on Make Up Girl ...................................Laura Browne his face. The Elegy.........................................Company Scene V – The open countryside. Late Winter Maggie Pie . .Caroline Ahmet Every Tear A Mother Cries . Ida Transformation................................Ugly, Ida, Penny For my Dad, I personally dedicate this show to you and I hope you enjoy it Greylag .........................................Paul Smith as much as I have in putting it together with a truly talented cast and crew. Scene IV – The marsh. A late Summer morning Melting Moggy .........................................Cat Dot......................................... Victoria Tewes Tim Cater The Wild Goose Chase..........Greylag, Dot, Cat, Ugly, Geese, Company Scene VI – The duckyard. Early Spring Barnacles . Julian Cottee Act One Finale: Hold Your Head Up High (Reprise) . Ida, Ugly, Company Act Two Finale: Look At Him (Reprise) .....................Company Pinkfoot . John Blatchford cast in order of appearance Snowy.......................................Katie Pendrigh Drake ..........................................Paul Smith Geese .......................Carla Cater, Chris Jolly, Chris Lidgard, Turkey...................................... Steve Wilkinson . Steve Wilkinson, Laura Witherall Rooster ..................................... John Blatchford Lowbutt.........................................Carla Cater Partridge ........................................Carla Cater Queenie . .Laura Witherall Hen . Victoria Tewes Old Woman (Voice).............................. Judy Laurence Mandarin . Dave Lobley Penny ....................................... Victoria Tewes Quails..................Elaine Doherty, Joan Hubbard, Judy Laurence Mother Swan ..................................Caroline Ahmet Father Owl.....................................Julian Cottee Bullfrog.......................................Bradley Green Mother Owl . .Laura Witherall Froglets..........................................The Cast Baby Owl......................................Laura Browne Farmer Giles (Voice) ..............................Chris Lidgard darren harper Darren has been with LTC for nearly fifteen years and is currently serving his first term as our Chairman. HONK! marks his return to the stage after twelve months off, planning and directing our last production, 42nd Street and even found time to get married. This is a show that has a special place in Darren’s heart. The playful nature of the show, mixed with the wonderful music, makes it fun to pass on such an important message – it’s OK to be different – a message that seems more and more relevant in modern society. Darren has played numerous roles for LTC through the years. Some of his more memorable include Bill Snibson (Me & My Girl), Don (Summer Holiday) and, his personal favourite, Seymour Krelborne (Little Shop of Horrors). With “Ugly” likely to rank amongst his favourite roles, Darren hopes that you really enjoy this wonderful show. ugly shunned for his odd appearance stephanie wilson Stephanie has been a member of LTC for most of her adult life and is thrilled that she can finally play a leading duck! During her time with LTC she has enjoyed playing lots of wonderful human roles such as Dolly Levi (Hello Dolly), Anna (The King & I), Millie (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Sarah (Guys and Dolls). One of her favourites is still the dreadful Miss Hannigan (Annie). Over recent years she has turned her hand to directing hit shows such as 42nd Street, Singing in the Rain, Crazy for You, Stepping Out and Calendar Girls, in addition to our successful run of Farndale Avenue plays. As well as LTC, Stephanie directs for and helps to run BOSCATS, the junior branch of Benfleet Operatic Society. In her spare time she teaches children with special educational needs and runs evening classes in Performing and Creative Arts at Thurrock Adult Community College. ida Ugly’s mother, the only one supportive of him simon bristoe Simon’s interest in performance and musical theatre began as a child when he and his brother used to perform together to entertain