Musical based on Oliver Jeffers' quirky book 'Stuck' set to delight young minds

Theatre musical 'Stuck' stars Sam Hoye as Floyd (right) and Grace Alexander-Scott as the Mum. Photo: Gardner & Wife Theatre

Are you looking for a fun and engaging musical for your little ones to enjoy?

After a three-year hiatus, performing arts outfit Gardner & Wife Theatre is set to return with a cute show for the whole family. It will be presenting the stage adaptation of Stuck at PJ Live Arts at Jaya One in Selangor from May 14 to June 2.

Stuck is an award-winning picture book by Oliver Jeffers, about a boy who got his kite stuck in a tree.

Join Floyd as he tries to retrieve his kite, by throwing up his shoe to knock it loose but that gets stuck too. So he tries his other shoe, a ladder, a bucket, an orangutan, and even a whale who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now they are all stuck up on the tree.

What a sticky situation he is in! How is he to get his kite off that tree?

This delightfully absurd story is brought to life in this musical through catchy songs, lively characters and lots of audience participation. It is ideal for children aged three and up.

Through Floyd’s journey, children will learn the importance of thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions to difficult problems.

A family favourite

Stuck was first presented at PJ Live Arts in 2014, featuring the original British cast – Sam Hoye as Floyd and Grace Alexander-Scott as Mum – who will be reprising their roles in this upcoming production.

Stuck is directed by Adam Bampton-Smith of London-based Big Wooden Horse Theatre, with Diong Chae Lian, Gardner & Wife Theatre co-founder, as executive producer.

In the 2017 production of Stuck, Malaysian actors Aaron Teoh and Safia Hanifah took on the two characters.

'Stuck' by Jeffers is an award-winning picture book about a boy, Floyd, who gets his kite stuck in a tree and finds creative ways to free it. Photo: Oliver Jeffers

“Based on audience feedback for the previous two productions of Stuck, I knew that it would not only be well-received but also be a great introduction to the theatre for those attending live shows for the first time.

The story is simple yet remarkably meaningful for children as the protagonist discovers that his attempts to solve his problem merely escalates the crisis! It is a great problem-solving mystery for young audiences.

This production comes direct from Britain. It would be great to have another Malaysian cast so I am keeping fingers and toes crossed for future productions,” says Diong.

She notes that the past three years have been especially difficult for children to access cultural and artistic experiences so she knew that it was important to make live theatre available to them again.

“Children on the autism spectrum, those with learning difficulties and other special needs had less options even before the pandemic so there was a great concern for them too,” she adds.

There will be a “Relaxed Performance” on May 14 (2pm) for families with children attending a live show for the first time or who have special needs, including autism, learning difficulties or sensory disabilities.

Patrons will be allowed to talk, as well as exit and re-enter the seating area as needed. Speaker volume will be lowered and auditorium lights will be left on.

Stuck will play at PJ Live Arts in Jaya One from May 14 to June 2. More info here.