Sandton youth join theatre’s delightful ducklings
Two Sandton seven-year-olds, Samuel Hertz and Jessica Bennett, have successfully landed roles in the National Children's Theatre's newest production, Honk Jnr.
SANDTON residents Jessica Bennett and Samuel Hertz, both seven-years-old, are among four ducklings who delight audiences in the National Children’s Theatre’s newest production, Honk Jnr.
This is a musical adaptation of The Ugly Duckling, filled with energy, dazzling costumes, catchy songs and dialogue.
Among other characters, the ducklings star alongside Ferdinand Botha, or Ugly as he is named, the fifth and less attractive addition to the duck family. Beaky (Bennett) and Billy (Hertz) balance cuteness with obnoxiousness in their roles, as they join the other two ducklings in riling Ugly for his peculiar appearance and mannerisms. It seems only Ugly’s mother, Ida, loves the duckling whom she so tenderly calls ‘different’.
Bennett said her role as one of the powder-yellow ducklings was her first on stage and she liked being Beaky, as the duckling had lots of lines. She would definitely audition for the theatre’s next play because she liked being on stage and particularly, dressing up in costume for each performance.
Hertz is no stranger to the stage, having previously starred as Peter in the People’s Theatre production of Peter Rabbit. He said his friends had seen the show and were excited to see him on stage again.
Both children agreed that the ‘birth’ scene was their favourite part of the play. In this scene, mom, Ida, sings about the joys of impending motherhood, waiting by her nest of five eggs with the nervous anticipation of any expectant mother. She goes into ‘labour’ as she sings over her unhatched brood and a friend guides her through the birthing process, assisting her with special breathing. At the moment of birth, each egg dramatically cracks open with a bang and Ida welcomes her new ducklings. The biggest egg of all, the fifth and mysterious egg, remains unhatched to mom’s discontent.
Ugly arrives after his brothers and sisters have gone for a swim and Ida is left alone, attending to the large egg. His hatching impacts the entire farmyard and his life proves to be anything but ordinary, carrying the extraordinary message, ‘different is beautiful’.
Honk Jnr. will be showcased at the theatre, 3 Junction Ave, Parktown, until 21 July, at 9am and 11am (during the school term), and 10.30am and 2.30pm (during school holidays).
Details: 011-484-1584 or bookings@nctt.org.za
