Hi everyone!
We are completely over-excited (!) and delighted to announce that the Community Music-Theatre at Speen Festival 2009 will be HONK! the Olivier Award-winning Show described by Time Out as "stonkingly brilliant", and having "the colour and wit of Disney's Jungle Book, mixed with the vivacity of '40s Hollywood musicals".

Honk! is a musical retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling. Set in 'a backwater of England' (remind you of anywhere?), Honk! features an ugly duckling who discovers his inner beauty when he becomes a swan; his tearful mother Ida; a drake who 'ducks' his fatherly responsibilities; a gaggle of comical geese; a sly French tomcat who wants to befriend Ugly so he can eat him; a wisecracking bullfrog plus loads of barnyard creatures and even more 'fowl' puns!

NOW WE NEED YOU TO TAKE PART - FRONT AND BACKSTAGE!
AND HERE'S YOUR CHANCE...

On Sunday 1 and 8 March from 2.00pm at Speen C of E School we will read through the script with director, Annie Hill, and introduce a couple of the numbers. So if you'd like to play a stonking, honking role, please do come along to find out more - and bring any friends and family who might just need a bit of encouragement. We're looking for:

• singers who enjoy acting
• actors who enjoy singing
• anyone who can act and pretend to sing
• anyone who can sing and pretend to act
• some completely tone-deaf actors
• a mix of ages
• some little ducklings and froglets (with stamina for a few late nights please!)

In the true spirit of community theatre, roles will be available for everyone: even if you think you are lacking in any theatrical talent, we will endeavour to prove to you that you are wrong, and find you a character or role that fits you to perfection, front or backstage.

For those keen to give it a go, there will also be a chance to sing to Sam Laughton (in my capacity as music director for the show). This could be a nursery rhyme or a pop classic or whatever you like. If you'd prefer to prepare something from the show, check out the songs by visiting www.stilesanddrewe.co.uk/honk but don't forget to let me know what you've chosen!

During the afternoon, we will also discuss rehearsal schedules, which are likely to begin from the summer term, exams permitting. At this moment, we anticipate the biggest time commitment to be from Monday 24 August until the show nights, with a breather for the start of the Autumn term but more about this at the readings.

All we ask now is that you look at your diary before you come to the readings to make sure you are available for the show dates: Thursday 10, Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September.

If you have any questions before the event, just drop us a line E: director@speenfestival.org or give us a call on T: 01494 488548. We look forward to seeing you there!

Best wishes
Sam & Kate Laughton
Artistic Directors
Speen Festival 2009