Lorna Irvine thinks this theatrical offering this Christmas is 'better than any children's show should be.'
You'll believe a stick can hurt! Scamp Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre's adaptation of Julia Donaldson's Stick Man is the perfect Christmas family treat.
In the title role, an endearing Nik Howden has to overcome various obstacles—being thrown, bitten on the bum by a dog, chased by a park ranger or pecked by a swan—before returning home for Christmas in the Family Tree where he lives with his Stick Lady Love and three Stick Children.
The versatile sprightly trio handle tonal shifts effortlessly: there is wit, clowning, PG Wodehouse camp (in the innuendo-peppered beach scene) and more than a little pathos, touching on the fragility of nature.
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Sally Cookson's direction keeps it all pacy and the children in the audience are never bored or distracted, squealing with delight throughout at the inventive props and storytelling.
If Howden's cheeky physicality is the focal point, he is equally matched by Nancy Trotter Landry as an imperious swan, sweet but smart wife and sassy karate girl. She also does a mean cartwheel or three.
Gordon Cooper's expert musicianship is excellent—his ukulele/saxophone and oddball percussion reminiscent of freewheeling radio plays. His officious park ranger and loudhailer interruptions provide merry anarchy, and his incongruous ad libs are hilarious, resonating with the adults (Raving? Free jazz? What's not to like?)
Packed with warm, folksy charm and catchy songs by Benji Bower, it's better than any children's show should be.
Stick Man—Live on Stage is at the Spiegeltent in St Andrews Square Edinburgh from November 22 to January 4.
Photo Credit: Steve Ullathorne
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