Puppets, songs, dances, jokes, not to mention a duckling on a quest for self-discovery

As with previous kids’ productions we’ve been to in the Neville Studio at the Playhouse, the atmosphere on entering for this show was immediately friendly, warm and inviting. Not to mention a bit exciting!

As the little ones took in the colourful set, Ethan Cooper and Maya Thompson – our very talented leads for this Hans Christian Anderson-based double-hander – went around the audience to say hello and co-opt the kids into some animal noise-based audience participation later in the show. It was a lovely touch and set the tone for a pitch perfect piece of theatre that kept a broad age range (I reckon from about 2-6 at our performance) entertained and enthralled for a cracking 50 minutes of heart-warming entertainment.

We opted for the tiered seats, but if your wee one is game, they can get a front row seat and fully immerse themselves in the action.

Using puppetry, costumes, song and dance, and a wonderfully playful sense of humour throughout, this retelling of the classic Danish tale of a changeling’s quest for belonging and acceptance was a huge hit with my four year old, prompting him at several points to shout out warnings to our overly trusting, impressionable lead, such was his absorption and investment in the play. This is probably the best endorsement going. Never mind the witterings of a man in his forties, if it’s a hit with the kids, that’s all the review you need. And it most definitely was.

This production takes us on a joyous journey of self-discovery as we follow Ugly, the youngest child of Mama Duck, as he tries to figure out who he really is, and where he belongs.

Along the way we meet a succession of brilliantly kooky characters, such as Gob the sheep, the bling-obsessed Magpie, a dissembling Housecat who claims to be bird-friendly, all the while surreptitiously preparing Ugly for the pan (a comedic highlight that really stirred the diddy audience), and the achingly cool Swan, who brings on our protagonist’s realisation that his adopted mum, and the ragtag bunch of friends he’s met along the way, are more important to him than a superficial yearning to ‘fit in’.

We arrive at the rather charming, inclusive conclusion that “a flock is a flock, as long as they love each other” and that belonging and family are defined by the love and acceptance we get from those around us.

With sparkling dialogue by Isabella Waldron, fun musical interludes courtesy of Ben Glasstone, and brilliantly effective, constantly changing direction and set from Laura Ryder and Alexandrea Hopkin-Spratt, this is a wonderfully immersive piece of children’s theatre put together with great love and care, and a real understanding of how to entertain youngsters.

Aside from the many giggles, superbly paced action, and spirited performances, I loved the addition of a screen with pictures and captions keeping pace with the story, which no doubt gives the slightly older primary school aged kids an added dimension through which to interact with the story. Kudos to Matt Powell and Emily Howlett for that.

With tickets for this show, for a family of four, almost half the price of the big pantos, I’d say if you have kids under 7 then this is definitely the pick of the festive theatre offerings. Half the price, all the charm, fun. Go see this lovely little paean to the virtues of just being yourself.  

The Ugly Duckling runs at the Nottingham Playhouse from Saturday 7th December 2024 until Saturday 4th January 2025.