Stick Man Live at Orchard Theatre – 2016 Family Review

Archive review: We saw Stick Man live at Orchard Theatre in 2016. This review preserves our experience from that visit, including what worked particularly well for Monkey and the moments that she found a little overwhelming.

Our Stick Man Theatre Trip

I took Monkey for a little treat to see Stick Man live. I went in expecting something along the lines of The Gruffalo, and after a short drive to Orchard Theatre we handed over our tickets and were shown to our seats.

We were right in the front row and Monkey was given a booster seat — although she was not particularly thrilled about having to sit in it! While we waited for the show to start, I managed to get a photo of the stage and a cheeky picture of her too.

The Show

As the lights lowered and the music began, three performers appeared and between them took on the different roles in the story. The staging was simple but very effective, with the performers, props, sound and lighting working together to bring Stick Man to life.

I particularly remember the snow scene. The whole effect made us feel the chill, and the sensory details were really well executed. Monkey was fascinated by the lighting and enjoyed watching the colours change as the scenes moved on.

How Monkey Found It

Monkey enjoyed waving to the performers and making her little dog-panting noise when she recognised the dog. At the time she was not yet communicating verbally, so seeing the ways she reacted to and engaged with the performance was a lovely part of the visit for me.

There was one sequence where Stick Man, the dog and the dog warden came out into the audience. I could see this being really exciting for children around four or five, but some of the younger children became upset and Monkey was a little frightened too. It is worth bearing in mind if you are taking a child who finds unexpected audience interaction overwhelming.

There was plenty of audience participation elsewhere too, including a bit of the traditional “he’s behind you!” fun.

Clarissa’s Review

I have always been guilty of going into stage adaptations with an idea of how they should look, particularly when I already know a story from a book or screen version. Stick Man reminded me that theatre can take a familiar story and make it work in a completely different way.

Overall, I thought this was a good show to introduce young children to theatre. The colourful lighting, music, physical performances and audience interaction gave them plenty to watch and respond to. For us, it was definitely worth seeing.

Stick Man Live Review FAQ

When did we see Stick Man Live?

We saw Stick Man Live at Orchard Theatre in 2016. This page is an archive of that family visit and reflects the production we saw at the time.

How did Monkey find the show?

She enjoyed the colourful lighting, music and recognising familiar moments, but one section where the performers came into the audience felt a little overwhelming for her.

Was there audience interaction?

Yes, during our 2016 visit there was audience participation and one sequence brought performers into the audience. That observation relates specifically to the production we saw in 2016.

Where can I find current Stick Man dates and tickets?

For current London and Sheffield dates, accessibility information, tickets and 2027 tour updates, use the main Stick Man Live guide.

Looking for Current Stick Man Dates?

This page is my 2016 family review. For current London and Sheffield dates, tickets, access performances and 2027 tour updates, head to the main Stick Man Live guide.

More Family Theatre on Clarissa’s Corner

You can also explore the current Stick Man Live guide and our The Very Hungry Caterpillar theatre visit.