Stick By Me, Dancebase, Edinburgh Fringe. Review

Pros: Lovely gentle comedy

Cons: Very much a children’s show – possibly overly simplistic for accompanying adults.

Stick By Me, Dancebase, Edinburgh Fringe. Review

Summary

Rating

80

Excellent

Leave your troubles at the door and enjoy the innocent world of physical comic Andy Manley

Friendship and treasuring the little things are the themes of this charming silent comedy for children ages 3-6. Andy Manley is a warm and clownish figure, asleep on his desk as the audience take their seats. Silliness ensues when he wakes and finds his chair taped to his bottom. Manley says he thought it would be fun to make a show featuring sticky tape, and he certainly has plenty of fun with it here, wrapping brightly coloured tape around his head and waist, and using it to create different stage spaces.

Elegant, well-timed physical comedy introduces the sticks of the title, those tiny balsa-wood sticks that are used for ice-lollies soon litter the stage. It’s a nice way to suggest inventive play ideas to young children, and a reminder to recycle and reuse. Play and friendship are depicted through well-chosen music, sound effects and mime. One cheeky stick becomes a particular friend, provoking plenty of giggles from the captive young audience. There’s sweet silliness when, having accidentally snapped it in half, he produces a little wooden coffin. Thanks to the trusty tape however, his friendship can be repaired, and the piece ends with Manley and stick stepping boldly out into the auditorium, no doubt to enjoy new and wondrous adventures.

Created by: Andy Manley and Ian Cameron
Performed by: Andy Manley
Booking link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stick-by-me
Box office number: 0131 226 0000
Booking until: 26^th Aug