Families across the UK can once again enjoy the festive magic of Stick Man, as Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved tale returns to the stage this Christmas.
Presented by Freckle Productions, the acclaimed adaptation of Stick Man will run in three major festive residencies in London, Leeds and Milton Keynes, alongside a nationwide tour kicking off this September.
What begins as a morning jog quickly turns into a wild adventure for Stick Man, who finds himself mistaken for a toy, a nest, and even firewood. Will he make it back to the family tree in time for Christmas?
Now a cherished seasonal tradition, Stick Man has delighted audiences for over a decade with its blend of puppetry, live music, and energetic storytelling.
This year’s London residency will take place at the Bloomsbury Theatre from 4 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, with a press performance on 5 December at 1pm. Simultaneously, Stick Man will run at Leeds Playhouse and The Stables in Milton Keynes.
The UK tour begins in Brighton on 25 September and travels to Canterbury, Chelmsford, High Wycombe, Guildford, Coventry, Hornchurch, Halifax, Hull, Aberdeen, Inverness, Fife, London, Southampton and Banbury before settling in Milton Keynes for Christmas.
The touring cast includes Milan Sangar as ‘Stick Man’, Ella Tekere as ‘Stick Lady Love’, Will Hamilton as actor/musician, and Rosie Malone as Swing.
In Leeds, Sam Makepeace-Beach plays ‘Stick Man’, Maya Bassi Curtis is ‘Stick Lady Love’, with Hannah Baker as Swing and Jack Ward as actor/musician.
The London cast features Shaun Mendum as ‘Stick Man’, Eleni Papaioannou as ‘Stick Lady Love’, Elizabeth Ellen as Swing, and Peter Shipway as actor/musician.
The creative team includes original director Sally Cookson, director Mark Kane, composer Benji Bower, musical director Brian Hargreaves, assistant director Emily Pollet, designer Katie Sykes, lighting designer Eleanor Higgins, production manager Suzie Normand, and costume supervisor Louise Smith.
Adapted from Julia Donaldson’s bestselling book, Stick Man celebrates its 18th anniversary this year. The story has been translated into 23 languages and was adapted into a hit animated film in 2015.
Executive producer Jennifer Sutherland said, “Every Christmas, families make Stick Man part of their festive tradition. We’re thrilled to bring his adventures to life again this year, with productions all over the UK. It’s magical to introduce new generations of children to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s world.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here
