Theatre Bristol proudly presents:

The Ugly Duckling
Adapted by Jack Neary
From the story by Hans Christian Andersen

Study Guides and Supplemental Materials

School Performances: September 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 2006 at 9:30 & 11:30 a.m. daily
Public Performance: September 10 at 2:30 p.m.

All performances of The Ugly Duckling are in Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace.

Performances run approximately 60 minutes

Dear Educator,
We are excited that you have chosen Theatre Bristol’s production of The Ugly Duckling as part of your curriculum.

Enclosed are numerous materials to facilitate understanding and initiate responses from your students in relation to the play The Ugly Duckling. The information and activities provided can be used to enhance your curriculum standards in many subjects. You know best the needs and abilities of your students. Please feel free to adapt the suggested materials for discussion or activities with your students. You are invited to make copies of the enclosed materials for other teachers as well as your students. We hope you will all enjoy The Ugly Duckling.

Sincerely,
Fred Dunagan
Educational Intern

Synopsis

The 'Misdirected Theatre' Company has been hired to perform The Ugly Duckling. Unfortunately, they show up (unseen) and leave because they found out they were booked elsewhere at the same time.  So, the theater’s staff must fend for themselves and present the classic Andersen tale utilizing their improvisational talents.  As the story enfolds, Mother gives birth to a set of very cute ducklings, and one very large, very awkward...thing...that might be a duck, or a turkey, or...who knows what.  When the weird duckling realizes he is a laughing stock and is making everybody in the barnyard unhappy, he decides the best thing to do is to run away.  When he does, he encounters a number of wild and crazy characters as he tries to find a new home.  Among his new acquaintances are a group of Wild Ducks (one named Ibsen), who ride motorcycles, and the craziest farmer's wife on the planet.  Of course, the last group of friends he meets is a flock of swans, who will show him how important and beautiful he really is.  There are many good laughs for the kids and for adults, with a sweet and moving message for the whole family.