Cast Announced for HONK! UK Tour

Today the cast members of the upcoming tour of Honk! The Musical was announced. After a successful run at the Union theatre in 2017, the production went into workshops at The Arts Centre, Hounslow which is where the tour is due to open on May 1st 2019.

As previously announced, Ellie Nunn will be reprising the role of Ida. Since last performing the show Ms Nunn has been appearing in Soldier On (The Other Palace) and The Daughter in Law (Arcola) for which she received an Offie nomination.

Joining the cast are Gregor Duncan as Ugly & James Dangerfield as the Cat. Danni Payne, Emma Barclay, Chris Thomson and Peter Noden complete the cast and will muti-role across all other characters.

Director Andy Room said "I'm ecstatic to be bringing this hilarious and heartwarming show to the regional stage, after delighting audiences in London. HONK! teaches us to embrace what makes us unique, and to celebrate the difference in others - it's an utterly joyous show!

Described as "flawless", "relentlessly excellent" and "an absolute joy to watch" this heartwarming reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's The Ugly Duckling tells the story of Ugly, a plucky little bird who gets picked on by the other farmyard animals because he's different. Pushed out of the flock, he embarks on an adventure across the marsh, meeting an array of characters who teach him that it takes all sorts to make a world, and that he is much more than just his fowl looks.

Surprising everyone - including its own composers - by pipping The Lion King and Mamma Mia to the post to win the 2000 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, HONK! has gone on to receive over 8,000 productions around the world. British writing duo Stiles and Drewe's other works have exploded around the UK in recent years and include West End smash-hits Half a Sixpence, Mary Poppins and The Wind in the Willows at the London Palladium.

Anthony Drewe said: "I think the reason Honk! has enjoyed such success and been seen in so many productions around the world is that everyone can relate to the plight of an outsider trying to fit in - we have all felt it at some point in our lives. We wanted to write a musical about acceptance - a celebration of being different, where diversity is welcomed and embraced, and where everyone plays their own part in a multicultural community, albeit on a duck pond."

Honk! is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face - no matter how fowl that smile may be!

Details of tour dates:

The Arts Centre, Hounslow

1st May - 10:30am, 2nd - 7pm

Norwich Playhouse, Norwich

4th - 2:30pm, 5:30pm 5th - 11am, 2:30pm

Chipping Norton Theatre

10th - 7pm, 11th - 2:30pm, 6pm

Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

25th - 7pm, 26th - 2pm, 6pm

Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

28th - 7pm, 29th - 2:30pm, 7pm

Hexham

30th - 7pm, 31st - 1pm

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

4th June - 7pm, 5th - 10am, 1:30pm, 6th - 10am, 1:30pm, 7th - 7pm,
8th - 2pm (AD), 7pm

The Egg, Bath

18th - 1pm, 19th - 10am, 1pm, 20th - 10am, 1pm, 21st - 10am, 1pm,
22nd - 11:30am, 3pm, 23rd - 11:30am, 3pm

South Hill Park, Bracknell

26th - 7pm, 27th - 10:30am, 7pm

Theatre Royal Winchester

28th - 6pm, 29th - 2pm, 6pm

Press Performance Night: 2nd May, The Arts Centre, Hounslow, 7pm