The Watermill’s Festive production is the delightful Pinocchio by Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Simon Reade with music and lyrics by Chris Larner, and it’s an absolute magical Christmas treat.
Yoav Segal’s woodland set is stunning, and the attention to detail in Geppetto’s workshop is impressive, enhanced by Jonathan Chan’s atmospheric, beautiful lighting design.
This new, vivacious version of the well-known story is told from Pinocchio’s point of view, giving him a voice. Geppetto (Christopher Bianchi) and his loving wife (Lottie Latham) are happily married, but one thing that is missing in their lives is a child. Following a storm, Geppetto finds a piece of cherry wood and meticulously carves it, creating the boy they have both longed for.
Jerome Yates is outstanding as the naïve youngster Pinocchio, eager to explore his new world and go on adventures. Some of them are hazardous. He burns his wooden feet by putting them too close to a fire and needs Geppetto to replace them.
He meets a friendly cricket (Fred Double) who acts as his conscience, a travelling circus and a one-person Punch and Judy show, which is boisterous, although they can no longer use the slapstick, a good touch of political correctness.
He encounters a cunning, ruthless fox (Afia Abusham) and her farcical, quirky partner, the cat, played by Eddy Payne, who steal Pinocchio’s money. He eventually is arrested by the carabiniere (Jacoba Williams) and lands in gaol.
Marc Parrett has created some incredibly wonderful puppets, including a boar built from a watering can, colourful butterflies, scheming weasels who chase the panic-stricken chickens. All cleverly brought to life by the cast.
As Pinocchio’s nose grows when he tells an untruth, it becomes a resting post for woodpeckers who eat his nose away. He ends up being swallowed by a whale in a fascinating underwater scene.
Inventively co-directed by Elle While and Indiana Lown-Collins, this heart-warming production filled with energetic dancing is so much fun and performed with flair by a multi-talented company. It does have a happy ending and is the ideal family entertainment for all and should definitely be on your Christmas wish list. It’s amazing!