Stick Man Live 2026: London & Sheffield Christmas Dates + 2027 Tour

Stick Man Live returns for Christmas 2026, celebrating its 15th festive season in London while also heading to Sheffield for its first Christmas season there. Based on the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the stage show combines puppetry, songs, live music and physical theatre in a family-friendly adaptation of Stick Man’s very eventful journey home.

I’ve seen Stick Man Live with my own family too. We went to the Orchard Theatre production in 2016, and I’ve kept that visit as a separate archive review so the personal experience doesn’t get swallowed up by changing tour information. Read my Stick Man Live 2016 family review →

Latest Update

For Christmas 2026, Stick Man will play simultaneously in London and Sheffield. London marks the production’s 15th annual festive season and its third at Bloomsbury Theatre, while The Montgomery becomes the show’s Northern home for its first Sheffield Christmas season.

The production is also due to tour across the UK in 2027. I’ll keep this guide updated as further venues, casting and booking information are confirmed.

Overview

Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their three stick children, but a morning jog quickly turns into a much bigger adventure. A dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan uses him to build a nest and he even ends up frighteningly close to a fire.

The question is whether Stick Man can make it all the way back to the family tree in time for Christmas.

The stage adaptation brings the familiar story to life using a trio of performers alongside puppetry, songs, live music and movement. It is designed as an accessible introduction to live theatre for younger audiences while still giving families plenty of recognisable moments from the book.

Cast

The 2026 festive productions use a trio of actors to bring Stick Man and the story’s many characters to life. Casting has been announced separately during the production’s rollout, so I’ll keep this section updated with the confirmed London and Sheffield companies rather than mixing older casts into the current guide.

Creative Team

Stick Man is based on the book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler.

• Director: Mark Kane
• Original direction: Sally Cookson
• Design: Katie Sykes
• Lighting: Elanor Higgins
• Music: Benji Bower
• Musical direction: Brian Hargreaves

Dates, Tour & Venues

London – Bloomsbury Theatre

3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027

The London run celebrates Stick Man’s 15th annual festive season in the capital and its third Christmas at Bloomsbury Theatre.

Sheffield – The Montgomery

5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027

This is Stick Man’s first festive season in Sheffield, giving families in the North another Christmas home for the production.

UK Tour 2027

A wider UK tour is planned for 2027. The full venue list is being announced separately, so this section will be updated as confirmed dates are released rather than guessing ahead.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale for the London and Sheffield festive seasons. Prices and performance times vary by venue and date, so it is worth checking the official listings before choosing a performance.

Check current Stick Man dates and tickets on the official website →

Why See It?

If Stick Man is already a favourite at home, this is a lovely way to take the story beyond the page. The show is short, visual and playful, with puppetry and music doing much of the storytelling, which can make it particularly appealing as an early theatre experience.

It is also a festive family option for anyone who wants a Christmas theatre trip without committing to a full-length pantomime.

Clarissa’s Review

I took Monkey to see Stick Man Live at Orchard Theatre in September 2016. We were right in the front row, so we had a very close view of the puppetry, performers and audience interaction.

My review covers the colourful lighting, the snow scene, how she reacted to the show and one audience-interaction sequence that she found a little overwhelming. Because that was our genuine experience of the 2016 production, I’ve kept it as its own historical review rather than rewriting it every time Stick Man tours again.

Read my full Stick Man Live 2016 family review →

Accessibility

Accessible performances are available during the festive seasons, with provision varying by venue and date. Families looking for BSL, audio-described, relaxed or captioned performances should check the individual venue schedule before booking.

My separate 2016 review also includes sensory observations from our visit, particularly around unexpected audience interaction. Those comments relate to the production we saw at that time and should not be treated as a description of every current performance.

Practical Information

• Show: Stick Man Live
• London: Bloomsbury Theatre, 3 December 2026–3 January 2027
• Sheffield: The Montgomery, 5 December 2026–3 January 2027
• 2027: UK tour planned
• Based on: the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
• Format: family theatre with puppetry, songs, live music and movement

Stick Man in Education: Puppetry, Storytelling & Adaptation

Stick Man works particularly well for exploring how a picture book changes when it moves from page to stage. Children can compare Julia Donaldson’s storytelling and Axel Scheffler’s illustrations with the choices made by actors, designers and musicians in a live performance.

It can open up simple English and Drama questions: How do performers give a puppet personality? What changes when there is no narrator on the page? How do sound, lighting and movement create different places and moods?

Continue the Stick Man Adventure at Home

If the theatre trip starts another Stick Man phase at home, you can revisit the Stick Man book, try the Stick Man sticker and activity book, add a seasonal twist with Stick Man’s Pumpkin Hunt, or listen to the story with the Stick Man Tonie.

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Stick Man Live FAQ

Where is Stick Man Live playing at Christmas 2026?

Stick Man plays Bloomsbury Theatre in London from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 and The Montgomery in Sheffield from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

Is Stick Man touring the UK in 2027?

Yes. A wider UK tour is planned for 2027, with further venues being announced separately.

Do children need to read Stick Man before seeing the show?

No. The stage story works on its own, although children who already know the book may enjoy recognising familiar characters and moments.

Is there a personal Stick Man review on Clarissa’s Corner?

Yes. I saw Stick Man Live at Orchard Theatre with my family in 2016. The separate archive review covers our front-row experience, puppetry, staging, audience interaction and sensory observations.

More Theatre on Clarissa’s Corner

Start with my Stick Man Live 2016 family review, then explore more family theatre, book-to-stage adaptations and theatre guides across Clarissa’s Corner.