Mummascribbles – Stick Man live on stage – a review – Mummascribbles

We adore all things Julia Donaldson in our house. I am of firm belief that she is an absolute genius and when herself and Alex Sceiffer team up together you just know you are in for an absolute treat whether you are three or thirty three. Stick Man is my absolute favourite and one of Zach’s too. I actually thought that we owned it but realised it was the libraries copy that we had renewed about four times.  Then took out again a few weeks later. It’s a story that at one point had to be read to him every night and it’s the story that had to be read every time he needed a number two in the early days of toilet training in order for him to stay on the toilet until he was finished. To say we love it is an understatement.

And so when we discovered that Stick Man was back at the theatre for a run of live performances, we knew that we had to take him. I sent a cheeky little email to the PR and was lucky enough to be allocated three tickets for us last Saturday. 

Photo Credit: Steve Ullathorne

As per usual, I hadn’t told Zach what we were going to see, just that we were off to the theatre. I like surprising him with these things and as long as he knows where he is going,  it doesn’t tend to matter whether he knows the specifics. 

When we arrived at the theatre to pick up our tickets,  it was pouring down with rain and about 45 minutes until the start of the show and Zach decided to fall asleep! We wandered around Leicester Square for a while until it was time to go in and then had the pleasure of having to wake him up. Thankfully at the mention of going down the stairs into the theatre, he was awake and excited.

I wonder what will be there, he said in his little voice.

We gave our tickets over and I quickly took him to the toilet so that we shouldn’t need a break in the middle of it and whilst he was in there he heard some girls giggling. 

What’s that noise, he asked. To which on my response of what it was he said, maybe they are excited too.

Making our way into the theatre, we were presented with a very intimate space, absolutely perfect for a children’s show. Not too big and overwhelming and just the right size to be able to see the stage from wherever you were. We found our seats and I took the opportunity to pop to the bar where I grabbed a Pepsi for the other half, a cup of tea for myself and a little pack of Jelly Tots – a little treat for Zach and us!

By the time I got back he had worked out what we were seeing just by taking in the stage. Firstly it was blue and secondly there was a bunch of rather large sticks on stage. With daddy helping him put two and two together he was very happy that it was Stick Man. Then the lights went down and the show began.

From the off he was mesmerised.  The show is made up of three actors, two men and a lady. The main man obviously being Stick Man, the woman being all of the characters that stop him from getting home and the third being the musician and warner of brewing trouble…Oh and Santa! 

Photo Credit: Steve Ullathorne

The background music and on stage music was brilliant. There were all sorts of noises and instruments being played. Songs were sung and parts of the book read; it captured every element that it possibly could to entertain the young children and keep them enthralled throughout. It even threw in a few bits of humour so the adults could have a giggle too.

There is plenty of audience interaction and without giving too much away, every now and then the lights will go up.  Be ready for what happens – the kids will be screaming with delight 🙂

The show is 50 minutes long which is the perfect length for the little ones. Zach was pretty much mesmerised throughout while finding moments to ask questions and remember what happens in the book. And of course,  when Santa comes onto the stage, that’s it! Pure excitement all around. And with a Merry Christmas to all – the show is over and there are lots of very happy children. 

Zach absolutely loved it from start to finish,  joining in with the obligatory ‘it’s behind you’ and clapping when the roast of the audience applauded (that was mega cute!).

I particularly loved the use of props and the use of instruments that went alongside the main show. It really brought the whole book to life.

Photo Credit: Steve Ullathorne

And yes, I even felt a bit weepy at the end when Stick Man was reunited with Stick Lady Love and his Stick children three. Well I did tell you that I was a massive fan of the book! 

I would definitely recommend this show. It’s aimed at children 3 and over but there were some younger children that loved it too. The theatre even had blow up booster seats so that the children could see over the seats. Genius 🙂

Stick Man is playing at the Leicester Square Theatre in London from now until 3rd January and at St Andrew Square in Edinburgh from 20th November until 29th December. 

Also, in case you didn’t know, Stick Man has been adapted into an animated film to be aired on BBC1 this Christmas, voiced by an all-star cast including Martin Freeman (Stick Man), Hugh Bonneville (Santa), Jennifer Saunders (The Narrator), Russell Tovey, Rob Brydon and Sally Hawkins. Keep your eyes peeled for it!

We were kindly given three complimentary tickets for the purposse of this review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.