This Christmas The Herd Theatre is bringing their enchanting production DUCKLINGS to the Royal Exchange which is a hilarious, fairy-light filled story with original music and songs for those aged 4-7 to see. This production celebrates friendship, failure, and the magic of being young and runs in The Studio from Tue 17 Dec 2019 – Sun 5 Jan 2020.
This original show re-imagines the world of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, The Ugly Duckling, but this a show about being a duckling, not a swan. The story starts in the pond, where every Christmas Swan School puts on a show, a glorious display of power, grace and flight. Coach Spring is working overtime to get her young class ready for the Christmas show. Student Spruce is practising hard. Young Sidney’s just splashing. In this quest to be perfect, what joy gets lost along the way?
Director Ruby Thompson says “This isn’t Ugly Duckling as you know it. We’re having a party and everyone is welcome. Every performance is relaxed, and so open to all ages and families with access needs. I studied in Manchester, and I cannot wait to be back in my favourite city”.
Playwright Sam Caseley adds “The original story tells us being young is hard and one day you’ll emerge a swan and your troubles will be at ease. Does that happen? Well it didn’t for me! We want to make fun, original stories for families in 2019 that entertain the parents as much as the young people”.
DUCKLINGS is a perfect Christmas show for anyone aged 4-7 and is on from Tue 17 Dec 2019 – Sun 5 Jan 2020 in The Studio.
The Herd make innovative and accessible shows about the world young people live in today. At the heart of everything they make is a collaboration with a group of young people. The Herd play, chat, imagine, share, and create with a group of children to make their shows. The Herd also regularly run additional projects exploring lives, experiences and imagination through workshops. They are an affiliate company of Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Libraries’ Associate Theatre Company. DUCKLINGS was originally commissioned by and developed with Hull Truck Theatre, and debut for a nearly sold-out 3 week run last Christmas.
The creative team includes Designer Natalie Pryce, Dramaturg Stewart Melton, Lighting Designer Jessica Addinall and Sound Designer Matthew Clowes.
DUCKLINGS – Listings Information
The Herd Theatre presents
DUCKLINGS
Written & Composed by Sam Caseley
Directed by Ruby Thompson
17 December 2019 – 5 January 2020
PERFORMANCE TIMES:
10.30am & 1.30pm Tuesday – Saturday (1.30pm & 3.30pm on Thursday 26 December) and 11.30am and 2.30pm on Sundays
TICKET INFORMATION:
Adults £13 / £11 Concessions / Under 10s £6.50
RUNNING TIME:
Running Time: 50 mins
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Suitable for families, every show is performed as a Relaxed Performance.
Box Office: 0161 833 9833
Online: www.royalexchange.co.uk/
