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11am-4pm
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11am-12:45pm
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Three ballerinas dressed as yellow ducklings are looking at a single ballerina dressed in a feathered white dress.

Ugly Duckling

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Overview

Don’t miss Northern Ballet’s hugely popular Ugly Duckling as it returns to the stage this spring.

Ugly Duckling is lonely and fed-up, ignored by those around her who think she is too ugly to fit in. She tries to make friends with fellow ducklings as well as with frogs, cats and even a fox, but realising she is not like any of these animals, she is left sad and alone. Follow the duckling on her journey as she overcomes her troubles and learns to love herself and those around her.

Retelling the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, Ugly Duckling is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre for the first time.

As seen on CBeebies, Northern Ballet’s sell-out productions for children are not to be missed.

This child-friendly performance lasts approximately 40 minutes.

Download the story of Ugly Duckling

Download the activity sheet

Running time

40mins (no interval)

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Production Images

Four ballerinas, three in yellow outfits with yellow hats and orange tights and one in a beige dress and apron with orange tights and an orange bow. They resemble three ducks and the ugly duckling. The scenery is fields and a big birds nest.
A ballet performer in front of scenery consisting of fields and a small pond surrounded by rocks. The performer wears an orange and brown checked hat with animal ears and an orange and brown checked jacket, with brown trousers. He also has a foxes tale and moustache and is mid ballet movement pointing at his forehead and lifting one leg up off the floor.There is a ballerina lying on the floor to the bottom right of the image.
A performer in an outfit resembling a frog - a green and yellow striped playsuit with green morph suit underneath and green goggles on his head leaping over a ballerina. He is very high in the air and behind him is another performer waiting to jump. The scenery behind them is fields and a small pond surrounded by stones.
To the left and right of the image two performers dressed in yellow and green playsuits and green morph suits resembling frogs. They have green gloves on resembling frogs feet. In the centre two ballerinas, one in a yellow dress, yellow hat and orange tights resembling a duckling and the other in a white ballet dress and tiara. They are hugging. Behind them is a performer dressed in a black jumpsuit and black ears, resembling a cat. The scenery in the background is fields and a pond surrounded by stones.
A ballerina dressed in a beige tulle dress and beige tulle hat. Another performer is crouched in front of her, we only see the back of his head and the fact he is wearing a brown and orange checked jacket and brown and orange checked hat with animal ears. Behind them is scenery of a field and a pond surrounded by stones.
A ballerina being lifted in the air by a man dressed in an orange and brown checked shirt and brown trousers. She wears a beige tulle dress and beige tulle hat and is carrying a basket. Behind them, the scenery is a large tree and fields.

Trailer

Audience reactions

Choreography
Dreda Blow
Sebastian Loe

Set Design
Dave Gillan

Lighting Design
Alastair West

Costume Design and Realisation
Julie Anderson

Music Arrangement
John Longstaff

Suitable for all ages

There are two entrances to the theatre, Kings Road Entrance (this is the taxi drop-off/collection point) and the Main Entrance.

Both level entrances have automated doors. These lead into the foyer area where you will find the Restaurant, Bar, Box Office and entrances to Stages 1, 2 and 3.

STEP FREE ACCESS

Northern Stage is fully accessible. The theatre has three lifts providing access to all parts of the building, including the accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, stages 2 & 3 and the backstage area. Buggy parking is available

WHEELCHAIR SPACES

There are five wheelchair positions in Stage 1, two positions in Stage 2 and all seats are removeable in Stage 3.

TOILETS

We have a Changing Places toilet in the Stage 1 lobby and accessible toilets in Stage 3 and Stage 2 lower entrance lobby.  Gender neutral toilets are situated in the Stage 2 lower entrance lobby.

HEARING ENHANCEMENT

Induction loop system in all public spaces, and an infra-red system in all three stages. (In Stage 1 the induction loop is best covered in rows E – L).

ASSISTANCE

One free ticket for the assistant of a disabled person who is not able to attend unaccompanied.

BOOKING COMPANION SEATING

To book a free ticket for a wheelchair companion or an assistant, contact our Box Office on 0191 230 5151, via email at boxoffice@northernstage.co.uk or by visiting our Box Office in person.

GUIDE DOGS

Guide, hearing and all working dogs are welcome here.

SEAT ACCESSIBILITY

Stage 1: Seats are 43 cm wide, 41cm deep, with 46cm between arm rests. The aisleway is 51cm deep from the seat back. Arm rests cannot be removed.

Stage 2: Seats are 40cm wide, 41cm deep. The aisleway is 64cm deep from the seat back. There are no arm rests.

Our seats are rated to British Standards at installation and are guaranteed to hold up to 110kg.

More Information

To discuss any access needs, take a look at our access page or please call our Box Office on 0191 230 5151.

More Access Information