What makes for a perfect seasonal trip to the theatre (I hesitate to use the word “pantomime”)?
A show needs to be perfect for children, definitely. But those children will also have parents in tow, and so it also needs to cater for them too.
Does The Watermill Theatre’s “Pinocchio” (adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s novel “Pinocchio, By Pinocchio”, itself a fresh take on the original novel) tick both boxes?
The first thing that strikes you upon taking your seat is the absolutely gorgeous set design. Geppetto (Christopher Bianchi) and his wife (Lottie Latham)’s house forms the centrepiece of the play, surrounded by lush touches of the woodland in which they live. It’s a really atmospheric place, and immediately sets up the theme of “home” which is key to the story.
We quickly meet the carpenter and his wife – down on their luck, out of money, and sorely yearning for a child. Following the discovery of some cherrywood logs, Geppetto sets out to craft them their titular son (Jerome Yates) – and the story quickly follows the same tracks that many will know and love from Disney’s famous rendition of the story.
Except, it doesn’t – not quite. The Disney version was framed as one puppet’s quest to become a real boy, guided by a talkative cricket and a fairy. This story is much more of an adventure – Pinocchio is simply keen to explore the world and all that it has to offer.
So while a lot of the story beats are familiar (and delightfully presented), they lack the overarching thread which connected them in Disney’s presentation. For me this felt like a bit of a loss – there’s no real journey for Pinocchio, and consequently the story might feel a bit light for the adults in the audience.
But from a different perspective, this is a big plus. Younger minds might not be as interested in how Pinocchio’s adventures sit alongside his desire to become a real boy; while the speed with which we jump from adventure to adventure is definitely a good fit for short attention spans. And the overarching point of the story – that it’s much better to be yourself rather than trying to be like everybody else – is certainly a positive one.
Praise must also go to the actors and creatives involved in the production. A huge number of characters are presented as puppets and are brought to life with a magic and charm that is breathtaking to behold. The actors also do a tremendous job of portraying a substantial cast of characters and animals – whether they be funny, heartwarming, or nefarious. Few shows end with standing ovations, but this one did – from as many parents as children.
So if you’re in the mood for a spellbinding show this festive season, and are happy not to go in expecting a beat-for-beat version of the Disney film, “Pinocchio” comes recommended.
“Pinocchio” runs from the 15th November to the 5th January; tickets are available at https://www.watermill.org.uk.
