Reviewed by Sarah Bryan
A simple, funny and thoughtfully created adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
It’s not what you’d imagine so clear the canvas and go see it with an open mind and a light heart.
This is a Scamp Theatre and Freckle Production, which is the same company who have had recent success with The Scarecrows’ Wedding and Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales among many others.
We are huge fans of Julia Donaldson and have watched the Stick Man film and read the book countless times so we were really looking forward to seeing this version of the story. The storyline is there and flows well; it’s padded out in parts and with extra surprises added too to take it to 55 minutes runtime with no interval.
My 3½ year old daughter had told me that she couldn’t wait to see Stickman on stage and we had a million questions on our way to the Wycombe Swan theatre in High Wycombe…”Will it be people dressed up as sticks?” “Will it be the real stick man?”
We arrived early, parked easily right next door in a multi-storey car park and explored the venue; the staff were experienced and confident and made a real effort to engage with the children.
Beware the one item of merchandise on sale – a big felt Stick Man to wave but at £5 this seemed overpriced yet many a reluctant parent or grandparent reached for their wallet to pacify an excited child. I feel there could have been something else in the foyer for the children such as a giant cut out of the characters perhaps to pose and have photos with.
I cannot fault the Swan for its professionalism of staff, its cleanliness of facilities and its delicious food and snacks served. Queues formed at the stage doors and they opened 10 minutes before the performance started which created a bit of a rush as parents took their seats only to then realise their toddlers needed booster seats.
The stage was set. A prop and instrument area was positioned to the left and then a small raised platform in the centre. Eager faces waited in anticipation for the action to begin. They weren’t disappointed. The three cast members (currently not yet named on the official Scamp Theatre website) enticed the audience into an introduction unlike no other where it became apparent without words that the 5 small puppets they held up would be channelled into life through the actor’s own energies, movements and expressions. Would this work? Would the kids get this? I looked at my daughter’s face, already engaged and eagerly listening but with a confused look; “But where’s Stickman?” she asked then I saw the penny drop “Oh! So the lady and the men are being Stick Man!” and that was it, she was tuned in.
The performance is really quite different for something aimed at children. No big effects, only a few costume changes and basic props. It’s a simple and effective production. It lets the raw talent of the three fantastic actors shine through with their spirit. The main actor who played Stick Man was very expressive and versatile with emotion and there was great rapport between him and the other two supporting actors; the lady playing various supporting roles was colourful and buoyant with her beautiful bouncy hair and swishy skirt and the other actor was amazing on the saxophone and other percussion instruments and added a more bold, loud stage presence so together they gelled well.
There was superb singing, great music and plenty of audience participation (keep that beach ball bouncing round the crowd for longer!)
It was a real delight to go and see. The audience laughed throughout and it had fans both old and young enthralled in the tale from beginning to end.
This is the first showing of Stick Man Live at the very start of the UK tour which will run until January 2018 but I am amazed as this was a slick performance with the only glitch being struggling to hear what Santa was saying at the end as his beard was muffling the microphone!
Finally, this is what my 3½ year old thought of the show…”I loved it! But I wish the stick men were bigger”
4 stars from us Stick Man fans!
Rating: 4/5
Stick Man Live is currently on tour around the UK, for more information and tour dates visit stickmanlive.com.
For other shows at the Wycombe Swan theatre visit wycombeswan.co.uk.
Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE | 01494 512 000
