DIRECTOR: Peter Gilbert
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Lorenz Ulrich
CHOREOGRAPHER: Lilian Von Werdt
An award-winning family musical by Georges Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Mary Poppins, Just So, The Wind in the Willows, Soho Cinders & the recent revival of Half a Sixpence). Honk! is a musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling, incorporating a message of tolerance. The musical is set in the countryside and features Ugly – a Cygnet who is mistaken as an ugly duckling upon falling into his mother’s nest and is rejected by everyone but Ida (his mother), a sly tomcat who only befriends him out of hunger, and several other barnyard characters.
DIRECTOR: Peter Gilbert
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Lorenz Ulrich
CHOREOGRAPHER: Lilian Von Werdt
Anthony, an Irish/South African native, trained in acting and musical theatre at London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He is delighted to be in this show with the members of ETGZ. Recent musical credits include Avenue Q (Trekkie, Nicky), the rock opera "Rent" (Tom Collins and Benny), Arnold Wesker’s "The Kitchen” (head Chef) and a co-devised two-person musical revue “You. Me. Us” which was performed in Basel, Lausanne and Zürich. In addition to stage work, Anthony is active in corporate role play, event hosting and voice-over work. www.anthonyhehir.com
Lea graduated from the London Academy of Performing Arts with a diploma in Acting and Musical Theatre. She gave her debut in Switzerland in the Swiss premiere of „Closer Than Ever“ in 2012. Recent credits include: Jennifer (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!), Maria (The Sound of Music), Svetlana (Chess), Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut (Avenue Q). Lea directed „Frühlings Erwachen“ in 2015 and „13 – das Musical“ in 2016. She teaches singing and acting. www.leaoxley.com
Daniel studied dancing with various teachers in Switzerland and the USA and singing at various institutions including the Academy of Contemporary Music in Zurich, where he worked with Gabriela Tanner. He has been developing his classical technique with Anneliese Fackler and Andreas Baumberger. Daniel has appeared in the ETGZ’s productions of Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods, Oliver!, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change!, Assassins and most recently as Anatoly in Chess. He performs as a soloist with various groups and gives concerts accompanied by pianists in various styles (classical, jazz, musicals and pop).
A long-time theatre enthusiast, Tertius has been onstage since his early teen years with various roles on stage (mostly comedy, bit of drama, few obligatory musicals, pantomime or two), and off (writing, technical). With shows such as Grease, Clue, Beauty and the Beast, and Assassins behind him, he is excited to add his role as Duck to the list. Honk! is his second production with the ETGZ.
Elaine McVey- Maureen/Queenie
Elaine caught the bug for musical theatre at the age of 12 when she appeared in Carmen with the English National Opera tour. She then didn't look back appearing on stage in many roles and shows including her favourites Laurey (Oklahoma) and Sandy (Grease). She has also been a backing singer for Michael Bolton and Barry Manilow plus had great fun performing with the Elvis Live in Concert Tour with the original band and backing singers. Elaine joined ETGZ last year for their production of Chess The Musical and is looking forward to entertaining you all in HONK.
Lizette hails from Copenhagen, Denmark where she was part of a show choir - Laerherhalsene - for many years, performing at festivals and singing backup for some of Denmark’s pop stars - one a year singing in a gala show on National TV. Lizette moved to Zug with her husband and 2 children 3 years ago and joined the ETGZ right away with her role of Florence Vassy in Chess.
Working as Rhythmikteacher at the Musikschule Zug she shares her great passion for music, singing and dancing with the kids in school. She was already seen in other shows of the ETGZ like " Kiss me Kate" "Into the Woods" and "Oliver". Its her first time playing a hen on stage and she loves it!!
Stephanie comes from a musical theatre background. Her grandmother was one of 6 sisters who were well known in the 30s and 40s. Involved in theatre from a young age, she has been a member of the ETGZ since 2010 appearing in Oliver, Snow White, Assassins, and the Sound of Music. She has also been a member of ZCC since 2012 with performances in Don’t Dress for Dinner, Taming of the Shrew, Taking Leave, Calendar Girls, and most recently in Kindertransport. Stephanie is a drama teacher at Simply Theatre in Baar and voice coach in Zürich.
Like Greylag, Andrew is a seasoned long-distance migrant. After a one-way ocean cruise from the UK to Canada, he lived in Vancouver, Princeton and Zürich, returned to Vancouver, then settled in Canton Zug. A founder member of the ETGZ, he also enjoys choral singing offstage.
Joey Gaillet has been involved with the English Theatre Group of Zug since 2011. His love of acting was able to flourish with the helpful tips and wonderful experiences that the acting group has given him throughout the years. Spinning off into short films and side projects, he has been involved with other events which will benefit him as he ventures into the future where he hopes to carry on his acting through university and later life.
Madeleine was trained in classical singing and sang in various ensembles. Her first production with the ETGZ was Chess last year. She then discovered her love for musicals. Madeleine is married, has three adult sons and works part-time in a private school.
As the oldest in a very musical family, Jennifer has been performing for others since from a very young age. In fact, she moved to Switzerland 12 years ago from just outside Portland, Oregon, USA just 3 days after finishing a run as Penny in her local production of Honk! She is thrilled with the opportunity to be a member of the ETGZ Honk cast and Honk will be her fifth production with the ETGZ. Jennifer is a full time mother to three children and is also the current Publicity Manager for the ETGZ.
Growing up in Zürich, Lilian participated in various acting and dancing classes. She discovered her passion for the performing arts at a young age and has spent the last several years refining her dance technique. Lilian is currently studying medicine at the University of Zürich.
Kate was born in England and came to Switzerland in 1979. She discovered the joys of acting in 1994 in the chorus of Ali Baba, with her two children, and has never looked back. Her first principal role was as the fairy in “Jack and The Beanstalk”. She has been in the chorus or as a principal with the ETGZ many times. She will take on any role or challenge, and acting and singing have become her passion.
Karolina-Slavka Müller is a Swiss born Czech musician, teacher and music therapist. She received her Master in Piano in Lucerne where she studied voice as her Minor. In 2008 she finished her studies at the University of Exeter as a primary teacher with music specialism. She has been a member of the ETGZ since 2009 and has enjoyed several major roles including Florence Vassy in Chess, Maria in the Sound of Music and Aladdin in Aladdin.
Mikayla is delighted to participate in ETGZ's production of "HONK!". She is a frequent soloist and ensemble performer in the US and CH. Her most recent work was modeling and acting in student film projects in NYC's School of Creative and Performing Arts. Other noteworthy credits include Brigitta in "The Sound of Music" (2014), Sandy in "Grease" (2016), Zoe Murphy in "Dear Evan Hansen (2017) and ensemble roles in "Hairspray", "The Lion King" and "Legally Blond".
Also stemming from a musical theatre family, Alexandra has attended acting classes at the Stage Coach Theatre in the UK, as well as at Places Drama in Zürich. She has appeared in several musicals, including the Sound of Music with the ETGZ, Matilda (UK), Lion King (UK), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (UK), Treasure Island (Zürich), Wind in the Willows (Zürich), and Simply Panto (Zürich). She is nearly 11 years old and enjoys playing tennis, computer games, and swimming.
Emily is 10 years old and enjoys singing, playing the piano and recorder, and dancing. This is her second role with the ETGZ, her first being Gretl in “The Sound of Music”.
Nienke is Dutch and recently moved to Zürich for her work as a sanitation researcher. She has done several musical shows within various musical groups in the Netherlands, and Honk is her first show with ETGZ.
Charlotte is originally from Massachusetts, USA and has lived in Switzerland for four years. She attends a Swiss school and plays the violin in her free time. She has been in 3 other musicals besides HONK!
Milly is 10 years old and is a keen musician. She studies voice with Kirsty Kelly and is a member of the ISZL and Zug Voices Choirs. She also enjoys playing the violin and flute. Milly has a passion for the performing arts and in 2014 she played the role of Gretl in the ETGZ production of The Sound of Music.
Matteo is in Grade 7 at the International School of Zug & Luzern. His musical appreciation was apparent from an early age. He is a member of the ISZL Choir and he also plays piano and trumpet.