Get ready for a fun filled night as Lockyer Regional Performing Arts presents ‘Honk!’ The Musical on 2-4 May.
You might not know the name, but you are sure to love the story.
Honk! is based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen tale, The Ugly Duckling.
In this upbeat, fun-filled musical, Ugly goes on a journey of self-discovery, meets a host of colourful characters, and learns it’s ok to be different.
It is the third Lockyer Regional Performing Arts (LRPA) show directed by Tammy Sarah Linde and Luke O’Hagan, who previously brought to life Little Women: The Broadway Musical (2022), and Anne of Green Gables (2021).
With bright colours and upbeat songs, Ms Linde said Honk! was a great show for families and children.
“It’s quirky, it’s light hearted, and that deep emotional core is a message for everybody out there, that you are good just the way you are, and you just need to learn to love yourself,” Ms Linde said.
“That’s the emotional message of the show but there are certainly plenty of laughs.
“There’s really quirky characters, there’s strong personalities, you might even recognise yourself in a piece of poultry.”
The diverse cast from the Lockyer Valley and southeast Queensland brings a range of experiences, perspectives, and talents to the stage.
“We have all ages, our youngest is five and our oldest is 40,” Ms Linde said.
“That is a beautiful range of ages to fill the complement of roles throughout the show.”
This year, Lockyer Regional Performing Arts are stepping out from their home base in the Laidley Cultural Centre and are bringing the show to the Gatton Shire Hall.
On Saturday night, you can enjoy a delicious meal before the show at the Gala Dinner.
Lockyer District High School’s hospitality students are catering a two course alternate drop menu that is sure to satisfy and delight.
Alternatively, the central location is an ideal spot to make a day of it, visit the town, or grab a meal beforehand.
“There’s something great about an urban theatre, a theatre that’s actually in the middle of an urban space,” Mr O’Hagan said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to go have lunch and go see a show, or go have dinner and go see a show.”
As a community theatre company, LRPA prides itself on providing performance opportunities for children and young people.
The cast of Honk! are a mixture of new, experienced, and returning performers, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the stage.
“Some of them who started out here have since gone off and done other work in Brisbane and the big smoke and are coming back and doing work here again,” Mr O’Hagan said.
“That’s always great to see.”
For Ms Linde, it’s a chance to share an experience very close to her heart.
“I love this show, I was in it over 20 years ago and I have desperately wanted to bring it to a new generation of young people,” she said.
“It is an absolute delight and honour to be able to share something that is so beloved and near and dear to my heart with these kids.
“I think that they’re really loving it as much as I did then.”
The fresh take on a classic tale will surely pull at the audience’s heartstrings too.
There are four shows over three days, opening on Thursday 2 May at 7pm, followed by Friday 3 May at 7pm, a matinee on Saturday 3 May at 1pm, and finally the Gala Dinner will be served at 6pm on Saturday 3 May ahead of the 7pm show.
Bookings for the dinner must close at 5pm on 24 April.
Dietary needs are catered for and children’s meals are available.
Tickets to Honk! are on sale now at lrpa.org.au
