Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio has been adapted by Simon Reade for The Watermill Theatre’s 2024 family Christmas production. The production offers something enchanting for all the family to enjoy with a few familiar pantomime lines added along the way.

Jerome Yates brings the famous character Pinocchio originally created by Carlo Collodi to life. His costume has been created to resemble the grain of the cherry wood Geppetto (Christopher Bianchi) uses to “carve” the couple’s new boy out of. Head of costume Hannah Gilbert has excelled with each costume, especially the school scene where one cast member becomes three school children all wearing matching smart uniforms.

The endearing puppetry pig, which you can see, has been influenced by the style of the staged version of Warhorse.  Along with the humourous green cricket operated by Fred Double, which both appear at the beginning of the production. These, along with others during the play, have been created by puppet designer Marc Parrett. Both of them raised a few “awes” in the auditorium. Everyday households were used to bring some of the animals to life. I especially like the “teapot.” Chickens are a clever and effective way to design the doomed hens.

Suspending your disbelief during the sea scene when the Whale that consumes Pinocchio enters the stage is easy and the audience are temporarily tranported under the sea. The music and graceful movement of the sea creature slows the pace for a while.

The cast of seven plays a vast range of characters throughout the production, although, at times, it appears to be more than only seven actors on the stage as they effortlessly change between characters and scenes.

Pinocchio is an outstanding start to the run of Christmas productions on my list to review this season. From the detailed costumes worn by each of the characters to the detailed workshop used by Geppetto. The incredible amount of work and detail that has been taken to produce this show is wonderful and deserves to play to a full house at every performance.

For more about Pinocchio now performing at The Watermill Theatre please use the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Mark Senior.

https://www.watermill.org.uk/pinocchio

Running from 15 Nov 2024 – Sun 05 Jan 2025.

Michael Morpurgo said “At last, Pinocchio speaks
for himself! About time too. And I’m so thrilled he’s doing it at the Watermill. Come see Pinocchio as he’d like to be seen. Simon Reade and I are rare amongst writers. Others have read Pinocchio, the Collodi version of his life, or seen the movie. We’ve met
him! Come see the show and you can meet him too!”

Written by MICHAEL MORPURGO
Adapted by SIMON READE
Music & Lyrics by CHRIS LARNER
Co-Director: INDIANA LOWN-COLLINS
Co-Director: ELLE WHILE
Set & Costume Designer: YOAV SEGAL
Puppet Designer, Maker & Director: MARC PARRETT
Lighting Designer: JONATHAN CHAN
Sound Designer: ELLA WAHLSTRÖM
Movement Director: ASHA JENNINGS-GRANT
Assistant Sound Designer: PIERRE FLASSE