The Information: 'Honk!'

What Is It?

Cracking new musical version of the Ugly Duckling story by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, directed with bounce and impeccable timing by Julia McKenzie, and set on a giant, bulrush-fringed, circular pond.

Who's In It?

Jasper Britton's brilliantly funny Cat puts the purr in pervy with his Salvador Dali whiskers, pinstripes and a dubious predilection for young duck flesh, while David Burt is excellent as Bullfrog. Gilz Terera plays the Ugly Duckling, while Beverley Klein is the anxious mum

What They Say About It

"Whichever way you slice it, this Ugly Duckling is a Christmas quacker," Paul Taylor, The Independent.

"If it is unlikely to follow Wind in the Willows and Peter Pan into the regular Christmas rep, it is jolly and its heart is in the right, or at least the PC, place," Benedict Nightingale, The Times.

"An exuberant smash hit that will delight parents every bit as much

as their children... if there is any justice, Honk! will do for Stiles

and Drewe what Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat did for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber," Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph.

Where You Can See It

Honk! is at the Olivier, National Theatre, London SE1 (0171-452 3000) in rep to 25 March