Reviews
The Ugly Duckling: Nottingham Playhouse October 2015
9th Oct 2015: Phil Lowe
The Ugly Duckling at The Neville Studio (Nottingham Playhouse) may be a short and sweet production but the results for the children performing may have positive effects lasting for their whole lives.
In collaboration with Combat Bullying and Nottingham Playhouse this production brings together a fifteen strong group of 6-14 year olds (many of whom have never been on a stage) who have suffered from bullying. Directed by Nikki Disney the piece takes Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale of the new born ugly looking bird that is constantly picked on and practically left for dead on occasion. The children bring the story to life through dance and movement and each child gets an opportunity to assist Hans (Bradley Price) put together his story surrounded by a set of gigantic children's story books. The bird struggles on with its sad existence and cruel taunts from the other birds. The children are cleverly costumed in black clothes with white text from The Ugly Duckling as the patterning. Their ordinary school clothes are also worn by some to bring home the contemporary nature of the story's relevance.
Eventually the duckling (played by various children) grows up and sees a flock of beautiful swans. Sensing the same potential in itself it wants to be near to them. As it sits on the water it is suddenly aware of its own beautiful and strong self through reflection. It is no longer a picked on duckling but a beautiful strong bird – a majestic swan.
With a packed and supportive audience on its opening night it is important not to underestimate the value of the creative and emotionally strengthening experience for these children. As little Hugo Waring (Duckling) aged 6 confidently says in the programme “I can't wait for my school to come and see it.”
This reviewer can do no better than to finish off with another quote from one of the participants Sophie Basra aged 13 - “Hopefully, our production of The Ugly Duckling at the Playhouse will make people realise how harmful and hurtful bullying can be.”
The Ugly Ducking runs at The Neville Studio until Saturday 10th October.
Combat Bullying "One in 10 children bullied at school have attempted to commit suicide, a further 30% go on to self-harm."
8th October 2015: Kev Castle
The Ugly Duckling"
The Neville Suite, Nottingham Playhouse.
In conjunction with Compat Bullying, this is the ideal play for this cause, and you know until I read this, it never crossed my mode to make that connection. The ugly brown duckling who was shunned and romented and made to feel bad about itself for the way it looked. To hide away from everyone, embarrassed about how they looked. This unfortuately is a scenario that happens every day all over the world with 50% of all young people stating that they have been bullied at school.
It's a very innocent play with a serious message but gives a positive outcome which can be used in everyday society, whatever the age.
Theatre for the young not only provides an excellent confidence booster and a way to express themselves, but it also gives them the social skills to grow up with as well as developing a talent and nurturing a love for performing and theatre in general, It's a win-win situation all round.
The story's told through the characters and through Hans Christian Anderson as he is sat in his study, working on his stories. Anderson played confidently by Bradley Price, who also plays the part of the grown up swan at the end.
With a further cast of 14 children, the story is told, mainly through dance and expression and is lovely to watch these youngsters taking early steps into performing, but more importantly, looking like they're enjoying what they're doing. The big smiles on their faces at the end to the rapturous applause seems to be all the thanks they needed. There's great energy and enthusiasm shown by all the performers.
Costume wise, some of the children are dressed in school uniform or casually, while others wear black leggings and T-Shirts with quotes from the script adorning them. Hans though dressed for the period of the book's conception. The costumes giving ultimate freedom for movement, which was directed by movement director Joel Daniel.
Subtle lighting of the Neville Suite performance area was done effectively by Martin Curtis, who was also responsible for the unobtrusive sound effects and design. The subtlety wafting musical images in and out of your ears and mind.
Please also take note of the music at the start, end and throughout the show because it was specially written for the play by young Italian, Luca Natali Stradivari. Wonderfully relaxing and evocative.
Directed by Nikki Disney, this is a lovely short piece of theatre, lasting just half an hour, which is a delight for all ages.
"The Ugly Duckling" is hiding, but not for long, in The Neville Studios at Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 10 October 2015.
9th Oct 2015: Phil Lowe
The Ugly Duckling at The Neville Studio (Nottingham Playhouse) may be a short and sweet production but the results for the children performing may have positive effects lasting for their whole lives.
In collaboration with Combat Bullying and Nottingham Playhouse this production brings together a fifteen strong group of 6-14 year olds (many of whom have never been on a stage) who have suffered from bullying. Directed by Nikki Disney the piece takes Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale of the new born ugly looking bird that is constantly picked on and practically left for dead on occasion. The children bring the story to life through dance and movement and each child gets an opportunity to assist Hans (Bradley Price) put together his story surrounded by a set of gigantic children's story books. The bird struggles on with its sad existence and cruel taunts from the other birds. The children are cleverly costumed in black clothes with white text from The Ugly Duckling as the patterning. Their ordinary school clothes are also worn by some to bring home the contemporary nature of the story's relevance.
Eventually the duckling (played by various children) grows up and sees a flock of beautiful swans. Sensing the same potential in itself it wants to be near to them. As it sits on the water it is suddenly aware of its own beautiful and strong self through reflection. It is no longer a picked on duckling but a beautiful strong bird – a majestic swan.
With a packed and supportive audience on its opening night it is important not to underestimate the value of the creative and emotionally strengthening experience for these children. As little Hugo Waring (Duckling) aged 6 confidently says in the programme “I can't wait for my school to come and see it.”
This reviewer can do no better than to finish off with another quote from one of the participants Sophie Basra aged 13 - “Hopefully, our production of The Ugly Duckling at the Playhouse will make people realise how harmful and hurtful bullying can be.”
The Ugly Ducking runs at The Neville Studio until Saturday 10th October.
Combat Bullying "One in 10 children bullied at school have attempted to commit suicide, a further 30% go on to self-harm."
8th October 2015: Kev Castle
The Ugly Duckling"
The Neville Suite, Nottingham Playhouse.
In conjunction with Compat Bullying, this is the ideal play for this cause, and you know until I read this, it never crossed my mode to make that connection. The ugly brown duckling who was shunned and romented and made to feel bad about itself for the way it looked. To hide away from everyone, embarrassed about how they looked. This unfortuately is a scenario that happens every day all over the world with 50% of all young people stating that they have been bullied at school.
It's a very innocent play with a serious message but gives a positive outcome which can be used in everyday society, whatever the age.
Theatre for the young not only provides an excellent confidence booster and a way to express themselves, but it also gives them the social skills to grow up with as well as developing a talent and nurturing a love for performing and theatre in general, It's a win-win situation all round.
The story's told through the characters and through Hans Christian Anderson as he is sat in his study, working on his stories. Anderson played confidently by Bradley Price, who also plays the part of the grown up swan at the end.
With a further cast of 14 children, the story is told, mainly through dance and expression and is lovely to watch these youngsters taking early steps into performing, but more importantly, looking like they're enjoying what they're doing. The big smiles on their faces at the end to the rapturous applause seems to be all the thanks they needed. There's great energy and enthusiasm shown by all the performers.
Costume wise, some of the children are dressed in school uniform or casually, while others wear black leggings and T-Shirts with quotes from the script adorning them. Hans though dressed for the period of the book's conception. The costumes giving ultimate freedom for movement, which was directed by movement director Joel Daniel.
Subtle lighting of the Neville Suite performance area was done effectively by Martin Curtis, who was also responsible for the unobtrusive sound effects and design. The subtlety wafting musical images in and out of your ears and mind.
Please also take note of the music at the start, end and throughout the show because it was specially written for the play by young Italian, Luca Natali Stradivari. Wonderfully relaxing and evocative.
Directed by Nikki Disney, this is a lovely short piece of theatre, lasting just half an hour, which is a delight for all ages.
"The Ugly Duckling" is hiding, but not for long, in The Neville Studios at Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 10 October 2015.
