Stick Man comes to life with the jovial Christmas spirit at the Rose Theatre, Kingston! This production is an adaptation from Freckle Productions, of the multi award-winning children’s author and Children’s Laureate of 2011-2013, Julia Donaldon’s perennial bestseller “Stick Man”. The play, directed by Mark Kane, has been on act since Thursday 10th December and will continue to be up until Thursday 3rd January in the new year, bringing delightful smiles to the many children as well as adults that attend.
Stick Man is adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson, the world-renowned author of some of the world's best loved children's books, most notably the modern classic, “The Gruffalo”. Julia is best known for her popular rhyming stories for children, especially those illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which are clearly a part of this adept performance: “This delightful adaptation from Freckle Productions features a trio of top [musical] actors (Jamie Coles, Georgina Duncan & Euan Wilson as of 11th December) and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves!” claims the Rose. In this reconstruction, the audience follows the troublesome journey of Stick Man travelling involuntarily away from his Stick Lady Love and his children “1, 2, 3!”, but finally meeting somebody’s acquaintance in order to help Stick Man return home in time for Christmas!
This gripping hour-long performance encompasses professional transitions between scenes, convincingly switching and transposing immersive staging and a multitude of costumes, props and puppets! Also extremely worthy of mention, is the live music during the play itself. Actor-musician Euan Wilson puts on a show of sound, utilising the countless instruments like the kazoo, cymbals (amongst other percussion) and the saxophone; impressively all without the aid of a theremin! Dramatic singing, accompanied by jazz and blues music, energetic drama, humorous questions, involvement and engagement with the audience, all supplementarily add to the exhilaration of amusement and entertainment of all the viewers (especially young children) that participate!
One doesn’t have to miss all the excitement either, as the Rose offers affordable prices too with £17 as standard and £22 for premium. The play is not the only thing adapted for a show this Christmas however; the Rose has adapted its regulations and safety measures immensely in order to maintain a Covid-free environment such as mandating social distancing, face-coverings, hand sanitisation as well as staggered arrival times, creating an atmosphere that felt completely secure. This increased management did not at all take away from the show or facility of movement around the building, for example entering via different parts of the theatre and paying contactlessly. Another inclusion of provision includes the prior-placing of pre-ordered complimentary drinks before the guests’ arrival, in lieu of toilsome queuing and ordering at the counter / kiosk. Spectator Shafi Khan passionately elaborates: "Incredibly easy to enter and watch, completely safe and hassle-free too!".
Despite endeavouring in all these transformations for ensuring the safety of each and every customer, the Rose has still been hit hard financially due to the pandemic. To remain operating in business, “as ticket sales make up the majority of [...] earned income”, the #RoseEndures campaign was set in place - feel free to donate via the link below, in support of the skilled actors, who always bring the auditorium to life!
Overall, considering all the elation one can receive from this production, be sure to make an appearance at the Rose auditorium, as this is surely a Christmas gift in itself for you and your family - tickets are on sale now!
Covid - 19 Security Safety Measures & Procedures:
https://www.rosetheatre.org/your-visit/covid-19
Support & Donate to the Rose:
https://www.rosetheatre.org/support-us/donate
