10:40pm Thursday 9th July 2009
By Claire Borley
AFTER the sell-out success of last year’s first Palace Theatre Summer Youth Production Bugsy Malone, the youngsters are again taking over the stage.
Offering young performers the chance to work on a professional production on the main stage at the theatre in London Road, Westcliff, Honk! will be performed next month.
The show is part of the 2009 Summer Youth Project.
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s the Ugly Duckling, it tells the story of odd-looking baby duck, Ugly.
Honk! won the award for Best New Musical in 2000, beating the Lion King and Mamma Mia, and has since been a worldwide stage sensation.
This project is taking place over two weeks of the summer holidays.
Performers were put through a gruelling two-day audition for a chance to win a part in the production.
About 80 successful young performers, aged between nine and 19, from across Essex will now be put through an intensive rehearsal schedule by theatrical professionals, before putting on five performances at the theatre.
The project is being produced by Palace Theatre manager Georgie Holt.
She says “Myself and the production team are delighted to be working on the second production at the Palace after the amazing success of Bugsy Malone.
“The youngsters, who we are so privileged to be working with, are unbelievably talented and deserve as much support and encouragement from the local community as possible.
“Honk! is a wonderfully fun, energetic and exciting musical which all age groups will absolutely love. We are really proud to be producing this Olivier Award-winning show for the Palace Theatre.”
Honk! is at the Palace from August 6 to August 9. Tickets cost £13, concessions £9, and are available from the box office on 01702 351135 or online at www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk
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