Honk! was originally titled The Ugly Duckling or The Aesthetically-Challenged Farmyard Fowl, and was commissioned by the Watermill, Newbury, in 1993. Since then, there have been some 3,000 productions worldwide, the latest at the Royal.

“Our image just isn’t in vogue,” says the Frog (Mark McDonnell) sadly to the Ugly Duckling (Adam Barlow, pictured, giving a heartfelt performance). “Aesthetically challenged” may have gone from the title, but the message remains: you must not jeer at the duckling that has hatched from the largest egg, just because he isn’t cute like the rest. There are even some who cruelly whisper that he is (shhh!) a turkey.

But there’s someone who is none too fussy: the black leather-clad Cat (David McGranaghan, splendidly malevolent). Ugly will do nicely for his supper, thank you. Honk! stirs the vegetarian conscience elsewhere too. “My husband has become crispy and aromatic before his time,” laments the royal, widowed duck Queenie (Joanna Redman) to mother duck, Ida (Fiona Dunn). But Ida, who comes from oop north, has plenty else to worry about: her idle husband (Andrew Dennis), for instance: “He always ducks out of his responsibilities,” she complains.

Set to a tuneful, bouncy score by George Stiles, Honk’s witty lyrics (Anthony Drewe) weren’t always caught by the primary school matinee audience I joined. But this home-grown production looks gorgeous (designer Jason Denvir), and is presented with zest – particular praise is due to the characterful local gang of ducklings and froglets. With its thoroughly romantic ending, this show will appeal to all but the very young. Until January 3: 01604 624811 or online (www.royalandderngate.co.uk).