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Birmingham Rep in Centenary Square, Birmingham
A cheerful yellow duckling stands in a snowy field. Behind the duckling are three colourful birds with mean expressions and a playful dog. The text reads
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Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for The Ugly Duckling

With Christmas right around the corner, we’re so excited for you all to join us this festive season for both of our family productions this year. For ages 7+, our Artistic Director, Joe Murphy will be at the helm of the (pirate) ship of our faithful re-telling of J M Barrie’s Peter Pan adapted by Phil Porter with original music from Ruth Chan and set and costume design from Hayley Grindle running from Thu 19 Nov 2026 – Sun 17 Jan 2027.

But for our younger audiences, we’re thrilled to announce the full cast and creative team of The Ugly Duckling which will run in The Door, our most intimate theatre space, between Thu 3 Dec 2026 – Sun 10 Jan 2027.

Aimed at 3 – 6 year olds, this delightful adaptation by Katherine Chandler reimagines Hans Christian Andersen’s charming fairy tale, and offers the perfect introduction to theatre for younger audiences.

The acting company for The Ugly Duckling comprises Elliot Rosa-Craig, Reisz ‘Odd Priest’ Amos (who has also composed the music for the show) and, as the Ugly Duckling, Maya Thompson. Also, Alfred Bartlett will perform in place of Reisz ‘ Odd Priest’ Amos on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December.

Cast Announcement for The Ugly Duckling
Never judge a bird by its feathers…

The Ugly Duckling has been adapted by Katherine Chandler and will be directed by Caroline Wilkes. Both Katherine and Caroline are returning to The Rep after their resounding successes with our previous festive Door productions – Jack And The Magic Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood.

Joining them on the creative team will be: Kate Bunce (Set and Costume Designer), Stacey O’Shea (Lighting Designer), Reisz ‘Odd Priest’ Amos (Composer), Jonathan Pearce (Sound Designer), Nick May (Production Manager) and Louise Marsh (Costume Supervisor).

There will also be a number of free pre-show workshops to complement the production. Using props, music and themes from the story, children will be encouraged to take part in these immersive, 30-minute sessions before watching the story come to life on stage. The workshops take place on:

  • Sat 5 Dec at 2.15pm (ahead of the 3pm performance),
  • Sat 19 Dec at 9.15am (ahead of the 10am performance),
  • and Tue 22 Dec at 11.15am (ahead of the 12noon performance).

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One brave little duckling embarks on an extraordinary mission to find a place where they truly belong. Farm life has a very strict pecking order, and one duckling is too big, too dull, and too ugly to be accepted by the other animals. When the name-calling reaches the final straw, The Ugly Duckling marches out into the big wide world to see if the grass really is greener on the other side.

Battling through the seasons and facing their biggest adventure yet, our determined hero learns that being different is something to celebrate, and that the greatest journeys are the ones that lead us to ourselves.

This delightful adaptation reimagines Hans Christian Andersen’s charming fairy tale and offers the perfect introduction to theatre for our younger audiences.