The 2008 children’s book written by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is brought to life in this 55 minute piece by three performers; Lara Cowin, Mathew Hamper and Robert Wade and an assortment of creative puppets alongside them.
The story of Stick Man starts with the declaration that ‘Stick Man lives in the family tree, with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three…’ but soon things are about to change for this protagonist as he ventures out of the safety of his home and into the woods and eventually the world at large.
But the world outside the family tree is a dangerous place for Stick Man. A dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family tree?
The show is a laugh out loud piece of children’s theatre where even the toddler was not just giggling but at points belly laughing. He particularly enjoyed the moments of audience participation when the dog in the story came offstage to say hello.
There are moments within the tale where you’re not sure if Stick Man will make it through the winter or if he may be burnt in the fire but just as we think all is lost Santa comes to help reunite Stick Man with his family.
With live music on the stage and plenty of audience participation, including panto-style sections where the audience were hollering ‘it’s behind you!’, the show is a jolly delight and a perfect festive treat.
“Scamp Theatre send shivers down my spine. I love their production of Stick Man and so do their audiences”
comments the author of Stick Man Julia Donaldson
Stick Man is on at Leicester Square Theatre until 26 Jan 2020 and tickets (starting at £24) can be purchased here.