You may think that a kids’ show about a stick wouldn’t be thrilling entertainment but as Jennifer Sutherland, producer of the stage adaption of Julia Donaldson’s Stick Man book explains, it tells “rather an epic story”.
Stick Man may not be quite as popular as Donaldson’s best known character the black-tongued, purple-prickled Gruffalo which has sold 10.5 million copies since its publication in 1999. But the story of the man who happens to be a stick, who lives in the family tree with his stick lady love and their stick children three is perfect for the page to stage treatment.
“When Stick Man goes on his adventure, so much happens to him,” Jennifer says. “He encounters danger, fun, lots of characters, different landscapes (the park, the river, the sea, the town) and his adventure takes him through all the four seasons of the year.” It was enough material for the award-winning Scamp Theatre from Bedfordshire to make a whole 50 minute show. That was in 2011 and they are currently reviving the production for the capital’s Edinburgh’ Christmas festival. Julia Donaldson has seen the play and gives it her seal of approval. She’s even written a couple of extra lines for the show which aren’t in the book.
Stick Man may be made from a tree but he’s anything but wooden. “He experiences all sorts of feelings and emotions when he is on his adventure, things that all children (and adults) can relate to; happiness, loss, fear, excitement, relief and sadness,” says Jennifer. “The more we explored this, the more he became an interesting person and character.”
Show runs until January 4. See www.edinburghchristmas.com.