A stage adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, reimagined as an introduction to theatre for younger audiences, exploring themes of difference and acceptance.
The Ugly Duckling opens at Birmingham Rep on Thursday 3 December, running through to Sunday 10 January. It's a production by The Door, the Rep's space for younger audiences, and it's based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale.
Katherine Chandler adapted the story, and Caroline Wilkes directed it. The plot is the one you know: a duckling too big, dull and ugly to be accepted by the other farm animals sets off into the world and discovers that being different is something to celebrate. It's aimed at ages 3-6 and their families, so it's a good shout if you've got little ones at home and want to get them into the theatre. Babes in arms under two are charged a nominal rate of £2.
Wilkes is a familiar face at The Door, returning for the Christmas show after Jack And The Magic Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood. The production runs alongside Peter Pan in The House, adapted by Phil Porter with original music by Ruth Chan and directed by the Rep's Artistic Director, Joe Murphy. That season is Murphy's debut at the helm of Birmingham Rep, the city's only producing-house theatre, and it opens with a new adaptation of Andrea Levy's Small Island.
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Tickets start from £15.50. Those above £13 include a £1 restoration levy, and there's a £3.50 transaction fee on all payment types. With the run going until 10 January, you've got plenty of dates to choose from across the Christmas break.
