Based on Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Presented by Freckles Productions

Directed by Mark Kane

Tickets from £14.00

Originally crafted as a popular children’s book and adapted to stage and screen, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man has become a contemporary favourite for its delightful visuals and creative premise. Loving father, adventurous soul, and keen jogger, Stick Man’s morning routine is rudely interrupted, resulting in a cascade of misadventures the sticky fellow hadn’t planned for. Snatched up by a dog, pursued by a swan, and even encountering the greatest, fiery, danger, Stick Man is desperate to return to his three stick children and Lady Love. What follows is an hour-long whirlwind of creative puppetry, party antics, and a good old-fashioned round of storytelling for all ages.

Designer Katie Syke maintains Scheffler’s aesthetically pleasing illustrative work with the original story. The backdrops and physical props bring additional textured dimensions to the charm and quaintness. They offer a firm reminder of the safety and age-appropriate nature of the show, even if there is some mild peril at times, or Stick Man’s faith and bright nature falters with the trials of his accidental adventure. But there’s a delightfully comforting nature to the tress in the background, or the live instruments on stage which encourages us all that things will work out.

But what a day for Stick Man, not content with being chewed on by a dog, and pecked at by a swan, Elanor Higgins’ lighting works to throw the elements at this poor unfortunate soul as snowstorms and coursing rivers weave their way onto the Lyceum stage with terrific effect – the snow, in particular, generating plenty of excitement for the upcoming festive season (and fitting for the Lyceum’s Snow Queen). Peppered with some original songs to maintain an upbeat nature, Stick Man is as percussive and inventive with its live instruments, performed live by the performers, as it is with its traditional storytelling.

The trio form convincing chemistry, both as onstage talent and in their various ensemble performances – Rosie Pepper turning in a blinder of a multi-character run as the dog, swan, Stick Man’s lady love, and a nose-lifted toff having a beach day. They’re matched in energy by Rosie Malone, who quite often takes to the instrumentals more than their co-stars, Benji Bower’s score serving to enhance the charming nature of it all – but ramped up for mild moments of tension. Brian Hargreaves’s musical direction bounces the pacing along at a steady pace, making Stick Man a delightfully musical hour without feeling repetitious or watered down.

Bringing magic to the stage, Ben Williamson-Jones has the task of breathing life into to titular Stick Man – and what a triumph. The Stick Man puppet is less animated than some may expect but Williamson-Jones practically imbues the show with momentum and energy, also providing strong vocals which tie together the original songs. They’re earnest and inviting nature draws in the audience and makes the interactions easy to get behind – it’s limited to key moments but offers a brilliantly creative addition to burn off some of the last bouts of sugar rush from a happy and engaged crowd.

Anything but wooden, Stick Man continues to gather eager twigs and sprigs all around the nation as it brings audiences on a charming and light-hearted adventure. With surprises (including a cameo from a jolly ol’ soul), drama, and lovingly detailed attention paid, Stick Man has been delighting audiences and readers for years now – and seems to be happy to stick around for the foreseeable.