The curtain opened and revealed a cheery sunlight stage and it was clear from the first sight of the village pond containing a nest full of oversized eggs that this was going to be a fun filled evening. The play got off to a rousing and colourful start with the cast lead by Drake (Graham Ward) singing A Poultry Tale. Kate Williams was excellent as Mother Duck Ida her voice was sweet and clear and her enthusiasm for her role never faltered. Her love and belief in her Ugly Duckling was touching and convincing. Ugly played by Rakesh Boury created much of the humour with his funny walk and hilarious attempts to quack like a duck. Tamba Roy was superb as the Cat as he tried to convince Ugly that he was his friend but all the while his real intent was to eat him for dinner, at one time someone in the audience was so involved in Cats shenanigans that they started to hiss and boo him. The scene with the Graylag Geese was hilarious and very well executed, they were all dressed in Air Force uniforms and they sang and marched around the stage before forming themselves into an aircraft complete with a propeller and red wing and tail lights before flying off into the sunset. Another very funny scene was between Ugly and Bullfrog (Russell Walters) his silly jokes and antics caused much laughter. This show was good family entertainment giving the audience an evening of escapism, laughter, great singing and good acting. Honk! is showing at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday, 18th February 2006. | 
