Bring your branch of the family tree to see this fun, festive family show from 7 – 31 December. Brought to Leeds by Freckle Productions and based on the book by Julia Donaldson.
Stick Man is waylaid on his way back to the family tree for Christmas – a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he’s set on fire. How is he going to make it home?
Adapted by the team behind Zog and Tiddler and other Terrific Tales, this delightful entertainment includes a trio of top actors, puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.
In Leeds, Luke Byeford will play Stick Man. Luke’s previous theatre credits include Oliver! at Sheffield Crucible, Christmas Wonderland UK, Once Upon a Time (Tag Live) and Peter Pan (1702 Productions).
Stick Lady Love is Georgia Jackson, who Playhouse audiences will remember for her role as Fingers in Oliver Twist, 2020-21’s ground-breaking Ramps on the Moon production directed by Leeds Playhouse Deputy Artistic Director Amy Leach. Georgia’s professional debut in Neverland as Wendy in Peter Pan at Storyhouse Chester.
The show’s resident Actor Musician, Patrick Orkney, will be filling the auditorium with music. His theatre credits include The Scarecrows’ Wedding (Leicester Square Theatre), and Streetwise and Future Forward (both for Performance in Education).
Rosie Malone, who graduated from London College of Music in 2020, will be completing the team as understudy.
Author Julia Donaldson is known for The Gruffalo, and perhaps best known for her popular rhyming stories for children, especially those illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which have sold over 75 million copies and have been published in over 100 languages.
Magic Light Pictures premiered the animated film of Stick Man in 2015, with an all-star cast that included Martin Freeman, Jennifer Saunders and Hugh Bonneville. The film was the fourth most-viewed 2015 Christmas Day TV programme in the UK, and the book went to number one in the children’s chart.
Directed by Mark Kane with original direction by Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls, Old Vic Theatre), design by Katie Sykes (Jane Eyre, National Theatre), lighting by Elanor Higgins (Private Peaceful, UK Tour) and music by Benji Bower (A Monster Calls, Old Vic Theatre).
Running time: 55 minutes
Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk
Box office: 0113 213 7700
Note: Images do not show the cast for Leeds. Credit: Mark Senior.
