Coming soon
11 Jan 2027 - 14 May 2027

Ugly Duckling

by Emma Reeves

With a menagerie of animals, depicted through inventive physicality, and with live music that quacks and trills, this charming production plays with ideas of identity, a sense of belonging and the journey to discover inner beauty.

Meet the most unusual duckling the pond has ever seen!

In their nest at the edge of a pond, the baby ducklings wait impatiently for Mummy’s enormous egg to hatch.  But their new brother doesn’t look like everyone else. He doesn’t even quack like a proper duckling!

Teased and called Ugly by his siblings, our hero goes on an adventure in search of a place to fit in. As the woodland trees change from dark weathered branches to silver sticks of frost, the lost and lonely fledgling hides in brushwood and stares skyward at the migrating swans, yearning to belong and marvelling at their beauty…. Where does he really belong?

Moving through all four seasons, Tutti Frutti brings to life Hans Christian Andersen’s well known tale. With a menagerie of mischievous animals, depicted through inventive physicality, and live music that quacks and trills, this charming production plays with the importance of identity and self-worth, and takes us on a journey to discover inner beauty.

-WOW, our entire school attended your production of The Ugly Duckling at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts today in East Lansing. The majority of our students will probably have your theater experience as their ONLY live theater experience in their lifetime. I am thankful that they had a great time and were wowed by the show. 
– Audience member

I saw your show in Kerrville, Texas with my second grade class and I have never seen them laugh so hard, sit so still, and empathize so completely. An absolutely stunning play. I couldn’t stop raving about it. Still can’t. Beautifully done. Absolutely remarkable. Best field trip of the year! Thank you!!!
– Audience Member

Creative Team

Wendy Harris

Artistic Director, Chair of PYA England

Wendy has held the position of artistic director at Tutti Frutti since 2005, touring nationally and internationally, co-producing the Little Feet Festival of Children’s Theatre, and leading on the development programmes and arts engagement work.

Emma Reeves

Writer Emma has won Best Children’s TV Episode at The Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards twice, and been nominated on two other occasions. Her work has won a national RTS award, an RTS Scotland award, and been nominated for two BAFTA awards and two Broadcast awards.

Information for Families

We create shows especially for children aged 3+ and their families and carers

Are you looking to introduce your children to the magic of live theatre? Find out where to see our shows, what to expect when you see a show, and how we can support your child’s learning through live performance.

Information for Families

Information for Venues, Schools & International

Information for Venues, Schools & International

Schools

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Venues

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International

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Schools

We create our shows to be easily transferred and enjoyed in a school setting.
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Venues

Would you like to bring a Tutti Frutti show to your venue? Find out more in this section.
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International

We are proud to have previously toured to America, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Poland.
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