Stick Man has been a favourite book in our house for a few years now. Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, it is a recurring bedtime go- to that we’ve read so many times that it is now recited rather than read!
When a book is so beloved by our little ones, it’s always a worry that when it takes to the stage or screen, the story will be adapted unnecessarily or clumsily, rendering it diluted or confused.
We were on the edge of our seats wondering if Stick Man would ever make it home to his family in time for Christmas, despite knowing the ending off by heart
This could easily have been the case with Stick Man so expectations were high as we took our seats in the Oxford Playhouse, where the show is playing until Wednesday.
And we needn’t have worried, because thanks to Freckle Productions, (the team behind Tiddler and other Terrific Tales, Zog and Tabby McTat), it was handled respectfully and was as faithful to the original as possible for its young audience, while packing as much fun into the hour as possible.
Laughter and cheers roared through the auditorium as Stick Man went on his adventures through the seasons, encountering every possible unfortunate obstacle along the way; from dogs to children, swans to firewood.
We were on the edge of our seats wondering if Stick Man would ever make it home to his family in time for Christmas, despite knowing the ending off by heart.
With the perfect mix of live music, audience interaction and touches of appropriately adult humour, the cast delivered a fantastic performance, truly capturing the essence of the story we all know and love.
A heart-warming performance and storyline to entertain the little ones and get everyone in the Christmas spirit, it is nearly November after all!
A must see for any family this half term.
Stick Man is at Oxford Playhouse until Wednesday
01865 305305
NIMI COOPER
