Lowry shares the gift of live theatre with young patients this Christmas

This Christmas, Salford’s Lowry Theatre is spreading joy in a way that’s truly magical—by bringing the much-loved stage production of Stick Man directly to children in hospitals across the North West.

On December 19th and 20th, the live-streamed performance will reach young patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, two of the UK’s largest children’s hospitals.

This heartwarming initiative ensures that children spending the festive season in hospital don’t miss out on the joy of live theatre.

For many young patients and their families, this is a chance to escape the daily challenges of treatment and immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Stick Man, all from the safety and comfort of their hospital wards.

Stick Man at Lowry

This marks the third year the Lowry has partnered with local hospitals to spread festive cheer, following the success of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt in 2023 and Room on the Broom in 2022. The collaboration continues to grow, now including multiple hospitals across Manchester and Liverpool.

The live stream on December 19th will be shared with children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and its affiliated sites, including North Manchester General Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, and Wythenshawe Hospital. The next day, Alder Hey in Liverpool will join the festivities.

Bringing Theatre to Hospital Wards

The production, based on Julia Donaldson’s beloved book with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, is packed with puppetry, music, and plenty of laughs. Thanks to a partnership with Freckle Productions, the award-winning Stick Man show promises to bring warmth, joy, and a festive spirit to children who might otherwise miss out on seasonal celebrations.

Jennifer Sutherland, Executive Producer at Freckle Productions, shared her excitement: “Stick Man is a family favourite that delights audiences every year. We’re so proud to be part of this special event and hope it brings comfort and joy to children and their families who cannot attend the theatre in person.”

The magic doesn’t stop at the performance. The hospitals’ Youth and Play Service teams will transform their spaces into festive wonderlands to create an immersive experience for the children. To make it even more special, every child will receive a personalised theatre ticket and a show programme as keepsakes.

Julia Birchall-Searle, Director of Nursing and Health Professionals at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, expressed her gratitude: “This event is a highlight for many of our patients and families who aren’t able to visit the theatre during the festive season. It’s a wonderful way to bring joy and connection during a challenging time.”

In addition to the live-streamed performances, the Lowry will also host children and families receiving outpatient treatment at The Christie for an in-person theatre experience in January.

Jenny Riding, Director of Learning & Engagement at the Lowry, summed up the impact of the initiative: “We’ve seen how much happiness these live streams bring to families during the holidays. This year, we’re thrilled to expand the program to reach even more children across the North West.”

Spreading Christmas magic

As Stick Man takes to the Lowry’s stage this festive season, the theatre continues to prove that the magic of storytelling knows no boundaries—even hospital walls. With this initiative, Manchester and Liverpool children will get a front-row seat to Christmas cheer, reminding us all that the season is about community, kindness, and connection.

Let the festive magic begin!

You can find out more on Lowry’s website by clicking here