I. The Play
II. The Creators of Honk!
III. The Production
IV. Activities and Discussion
V. Information
 

I. THE PLAY

Honk! is a spectacular, award-winning musical from Britain based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale The Ugly Duckling, written in 1844. The show was originally commissioned in 1993 by The Watermill Theatre, Newbury and was titled The Ugly Duckling or the Aesthetically Challenged Farmyard Fowl. A revised version of the musical, re-titled Honk! A Musical Tale of the Ugly Duckling, opened in 1997 at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and then at London's Royal National Theatre. Honk! received the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The RNT production toured Britain in 2001.

The reviews speak for the success of the National Theatre's production:
 

"Imagine the colour and wit of Disney's 'Jungle Book' mixed with the vivacity of 40's Hollywood musicals . . . Heartwarming theatre in which to revel."
                                                                                                         Time Out

"Composer George Stiles and writer Anthony Drewe . . . hit the jackpot, adapting and updating Hans Christian Andersen's testament to the triumph of personality over flashy plumage with wit and vibrant good humour."
                                                                                                       Evening Standard
"A deliciously ticklish entertainment."
                                                                                                       Mail on Sunday

For information and photos of the National Theatre's fabulous production, visit: www.lilyrose.org.

Honk! has earned international success, as well. Awards include the FNB VITA Award (South Africa) and the Elliot Norton Award (USA). Globe Theatre's production of Honk! celebrates the Canadian premiere of this delightful musical.
 

Honk! offers some delightful twists to Hans Christian Andersen's original tale, notably the fuller and richer development of characters.
 

Ugly - Things are bad for this young bird right from the beginning. The first mystery is how this egg ended up in the nest of Ida and Drake Duck. On top of that, when he does finally peck his way out of his shell, he's christened Ugly. How bad is that? Ugly doesn't look anything like his siblings. He tries his hardest to quack as well as the rest of them, but when he opens his mouth, "Qu . . . ONK!" It's no use. How can anyone get ahead in the world with that much working against him?

Drake and Ida Duck - Ugly's folks. Is this a match made in heaven? Hardly. From the start, Drake doesn't try to hide his suspicions about that strange brown egg taking up so much room in the nest. And Ida's not too crazy about the reality that the duties of raising this flock will fall largely on her. "Duck by name and duck by nature," she says of Drake. "Ducking out of his responsibilities." To the ducklings, she says, "Take a good look at him now because you probably won't see him often."

Billy, Beaky, Downy and Fluff - Ugly's siblings. Cute and cuddly, but without an independent thought among them. They're all on the same wavelength, demonstrating serious "flock" mentality. Ida and Drake have their webbed feet full with this hatching.

The Cat - He knows every trick in the book. The cookbook, that is. When Ugly needs a playmate, the Cat is right there, eager for a "crazy little game called lunch." This Cat has a great wardrobe - everything from camouflage fatigues for hunting waterfowl to tango apparel for wooing female felines. Utimately though, the Cat's fetish for baby birds leads him to despair and subsequent treatment for duck addiction.

From the beginning, Ugly's appearance is a target of scorn and ridicule. At home, he faces nasty reactions from his siblings:

Look at him
Legs are bandy
And the knees are knocked
Look at him.

Dad was obviously egg-shell-shocked.
Bet the neighbours scream and howl
When they see our brood.
He's the foulest waterfowl.

Does he have his giblets inside out?
What else would explain his looks
Being quite so rough?
How on earth will gourmet cooks
Know which end to stuff?

He's my son and I love him
Do you see what you've done?
You're to blame
This duckyard would be so boring
If we all looked the same.

FLOOR MGR: Back, back, back. Everyone back, please.

MAGGIE PIE: And rolling. So tell me, Ida, it has been a week now since your son went missing. How are you bearing up? Can you manage a tear for the camera?

IDA: Wh . . . what?

DRAKE: Oh, good, they've arrived. Leave this to me, love. Now, which do you think is my best side?

IDA: Drake, what is this?

MAGGIE PIE: Zoom in for the head shot. Confusion. Anguish. Matrimonial disquiet. I love it. And . . . close up for the reaction shot . . .

DRAKE: This, dear, is Maggie Pie from "America's Most Feathered." They're doing a feature. This'll get us one up on the pelicans. (To Maggie) Here's the picture you wanted, it's a bit torn, I'm afraid. Of course, we are all still in a state of very, very deep . . .

MAGGIE PIE: Ida, there have been rumours of farmyard bullying - do you believe your son was abducted, or is it possible that he ran away to escape his persecutors?

IDA: What are you saying?

MAGGIE PIE: That's good. I'll buy that. Defensive yet emotional. Just a hint of anger. I'm filling up here.

IDA: Why can't you leave us alone?

MAGGIE PIE: Nice, oh very nice . . . feisty sells.

DRAKE: What about me? Does no-one care about what I think?

MAGGIE PIE: Sorry, sir, coming to the end of transmission. (Into camera) I'm going to leave the final word with Ida, just in case her son is out there watching, but for now this is Maggie Pie from "America's Most Feathered" saying that if you see anything suspicious - from thieving magpies to lost ducklings - the chicks on the switchboard are waiting to take your call.

Ugly experiences adventure after adventure including a near disaster with a flock of wild geese which becomes the target of hunters, as well as several close encounters of the "Cat" kind. Ugly meets an assortment of fascinating and colourful animal characters including a charming chicken/cat duo - Lowbutt and Queenie, as well as a philosophical bullfrog with some sound advice:

If we're talking 'ugly' they don't come much more aesthetically challenged than me. . . . I started out as a blob of jelly and it's been downhill ever since. I say to myself, "I'm just a handsome prince in frog's clothing and one day someone's going to come along and kiss me and release my inner beauty. . . . Our 'image' isn't in vogue. That's all. It's a question of taste. But you mark my words, one day 'ugly' will be 'in.'

Honk! is entertaining audiences worldwide, with dozens of professional and amateur productions underway. A feature film is currently in development.
 

II. THE CREATORS OF HONK!

George Stiles (Music) and Anthony Drewe (Book and Lyrics) have been a creative team since the 1980's. Their shows include: Just So (winner of the 1985 Vivian Gillis Award), Tutankhamun (1992), Honk! (1993) and Peter Pan (1996). They have written musical reviews, as well as songs for a variety of theatre, TV and radio productions. The duo has two new musicals in the work. They also enjoy accomplished independent careers. George Stiles has written three successful musicals: Moll Flanders (winner of Best Musical in the 1995 TMA Awards), Tom Jones and The Three Musketeers. Anthony Drewe wrote lyrics for The Card (nominated in 1995 for an Olivier Award), A Twist of Fate, and The Canterville Ghost. He is also a performer and director, and has directed productions of Honk! at Chicago's Lincoln Marriot Theatre, as well as in Tokyo and Singapore. Stiles and Drewe are founders of The Mercury Workshop, an organization for writers creating new musical theatre.
 

Anthony Drewe writes the following note about Honk!:

The principle theme of the show is clearly the acceptance of others who may appear different for whatever reason. In our increasingly multi-cultural society school bullying, racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism and any other 'isms' you care to mention are still prevalent to varying degrees. I don't even like the word 'tolerance' as this implies having to put up with something that, in truth, is to one's disliking. Acceptance, compassion and understanding are far better words.

George and I conceived Honk! as family entertainment that would be fun for all ages - as much about people as it is about ducks. We did not envisage feathers and beaks - just a few colour schemes and mannerisms that would indicate who the characters are. The main message that we wanted the audience to go away with was that different is OK, it is something to be welcomed, embraced and celebrated rather than feared, misunderstood or persecuted.
 

Globe Theatre is thrilled to feature the work of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe on the Main Stage is this Canadian premiere of Honk!.
 

SOURCES:

Www.lilyrose.org/stilesdrewe

Www.stilesanddrewe.co.uk
 
 

III. THE PRODUCTION

Globe's production of Honk! definitely maintains the traditions of the theatre's annual family production - glorious spectacle, lavish sets and costumes, magnificent special effects and fabulous music.

Ruth Smillie is the Director of Honk!. In her four years as Globe Theatre's Artistic Director, Ruth has engineered a number of large scale productions on Globe's 20' x 20' in-the-round stage. Honk! is no exception. This delightful musical promises to be a spectacular treat for audiences of all ages.

The Musical Director of Honk! is Ya-Wen Wang, who arranged and directed music for The Wizard of Oz last season. Ya-Wen accompanied the production live, creating a full orchestral sound on two synthesizers. Her musical talents will be a highlight of Honk!.

The cast of Honk! features twelve actors (including student apprentices) who play approximately thirty-five characters. Students will appreciate the talents of these amazing artists as they manage the challenges of multiple roles, swift costume changes, complex musical and choreographic demands, and performing live and in-the-round.

The designs are dazzling. Globe's Resident Set Designer Peter Field has created a striking storybook world with some hilarious twists. Costume Designer Wes Pearce has fashioned a wonderfully amusing, stylish and colourful farmyard menagerie featuring over sixty costumes. It's fascinating how much these "animals" resemble folks we all know!

Student matinees for Honk! are sold out. However, there are tickets remaining for regular performances. Traditionally, our holiday production sells out early, so we encourage you to call now for tickets, 525-6400. Ticket prices are $25 (Adult), $18.75 (Senior), and $15 (Student).

The length of the show will be determined closer to the opening of the production. This information will be available by calling the box office, 525-6400 or visiting our website: www.globetheatrelive.com. Previews, reviews and audience feedback will also be posted on our site. We appreciate hearing your responses to the production. Please e-mail your feedback to: onlive@globetheatrelive.com.
 

IV. ACTIVITIES AND DISCUSSION
 

.Read the The Ugly Duckling, written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1844. A version is available online at: http://hca.gilead.org.il/ugly_duc.html
 

.Honk! ends on a "happy ever after" note. However a cast of characters this rich and colourful offers endless possibilities for "Honk! The Sequel." Students may enjoy creating their own scenes or stories about "what happens next" in the lives of these characters. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
 

What does the future hold for Billy, Beaky, Downy and Fluff?

What might be the story of Drake and Ida's next hatching? Does Drake continue to "duck out" of his responsibilities? Did Ida's search for Ugly instill in her a sense of adventure and activism? Will she be satisfied to stay at home with a family?

What's in store for Queenie and Lowbutt? Does Lowbutt's jealousy become a problem? How long can they remain housemates?
 

How does the atmosphere of the farmyard change after Penny and Ugly settle on the nearby lake? Does the crime rate decrease? Is America's Most Featured forced to change it's focus? What is the future of Maggie Pie's career?
 

.Set and Props Design - Knowing the original tale, what expectations did you have of the setting of Honk! and the props chosen? Were you surprised by what you saw on stage? What challenges did the Set and Props Designer face in creating the "world" of the story on a 20' x 20' in-the-round stage? How were these challenges overcome? What designs were you most surprised to see in a storybook, farmyard setting? How did the world of the play resemble our own world?
 
 

.Costume Design - What features of the costume designs were most surprising and entertaining? What expectations of the costumes did you have before the show began? What statements were made by the Costume Designer's choices? Did the characters and their behaviour seem more familiar because of some of the costume choices? Which characters could you relate to? Did some of the characters remind you of people you know?
 

presented by storybook figures? By the stories themselves? What events seem impossible to stage? Through the magic of theatre, how might the impossible be achieved?
 

.We love receiving artwork. Send us sketches (stories are great, too) of your favourite scenes and characters from The Ugly Duckling. We'll share these with the cast of Honk! And we'll display as many as we can during the run of the play. Please send your work to: Globe Theatre, 1801 Scarth St., Regina, SK S4P 2G9.
 

V. INFORMATION

.Talkback Tuesdays: an opportunity for students to attend a production and enjoy a post-show opportunity to meet the actors and artists, and discuss the show. Talkback Tuesdays are sponsored by Enbridge.
 

karenj@globetheatrelive.com

Fax: 352-4194