Review: Pinocchio, Shakespeare’s Globe

After a few years in the doldrums, Pinocchio, directed by Sean Holmes, sees the animation of Shakespeare’s Globe’s Christmas event into a real Wooden O once more – gone is the dreadful Hansel & Gretel and a warm, hugely entertaining, festive family show takes its rightful place.

This magical production is comical, clever and entirely classy. No bottom jokes for the kids here, just superb storytelling that embraces the idea of change, celebrates the unconventional and creates a space where the impossible really does become possible.

Written by Charlie Josephine – (in)famous for their non-binary Joan of Arc play, I Joan – it’s no surprise that this version of Collodi’s classic is quirkily unique. It leans delightfully in to the theatricality of the Shakespearean venue; although here we’re more in a kind of toy theatre, in a town where change and difference is frowned upon. It’s actually the perfect setting for a block of wood to come to life and start questioning the nature of truth.

And come to life it does, through Peter O’Rourke’s exceptional puppet design and in the masterful hands of a team of world class puppeteers. Lee Braithwaite leads brilliantly as the voice and head of Pinocchio, characterising him beautifully without ever becoming either sickly sweet or sulky. Keeping the wooden boy alive with him is a team of talented hands including Aya Nakamura, Andrea Sadler and Stan Middleton. Manipulating an inanimate wooden object, they together conjure real emotion, including stunning moments where Pinocchio defies gravity, contesting reality. Middleton is one of the UK’s finest marionettist and here his cameo Romeo & Juliet is simply breathtaking. It’s closely followed by him flouncing off like a petulant Adam Ant, which is highly amusing – but it gives a hint of the talent within this one artist.

The stage is packed with talent though. Nick Holder as wannabe father Gepetto delivers the full range of emotion, from hilarious to deeply moving, as he negotiates the difficulties within father/son relationships. You’re left wanting more of Steven Webb who dazzles as Giacomo Cricket and the creepy Coachman. Ed Gaughan is hysterical as Franzini, channelling the spirit of music hall while cheekily teasing middle-class Globe audiences. One glimpse of Kerry Frampton and you know there’s a secret weapon on stage – her snail is a scene stealer, but she’s a wildly entertaining duo with Lucy McCormick as Fox and Cat, and McCormick’s turn as the weirdly hallucinogenic Blue Fairy is a showstopper.

The music by Jim Fortune is sparkling, textured and dynamic, performed by a skilful live band with a tremendous ensemble and all charmingly atmospheric. That said, there’s not much for the audience to get their teeth into by way of singalong or refrain, which is a shame for a seasonal show that otherwise reimagines and embraces all the best bits of panto.

If the music’s not memorable then the design is, from O’Rourke’s captivating wooden boy to his gobsmackingly stunning blue whale that swims through the audience. Grace Smart’s eccentric, slightly surreal visions are outstanding, superbly supporting the puppetry in its call for suspension of disbelief. There are gorgeous costumes which nod exquisitely to Elizabethan dress, a surprise stage floor that flips out to become the whale’s belly, and some hauntingly weird donkeys you will want to rescue.

Pinocchio’s playful ending returns the fragile humanity that’s exposed during the puppet protagonist’s adventures into a real boy, and it’s gloriously uplifting. But this production also radiates respectful collaboration, talent and joy, and its positivity bathes the audience in a message that the seemingly impossible can indeed become reality. This Christmas let’s believe the magic and reimagine our world as a kinder, more inclusive and accepting place.

You can read more about the making of Pinocchio in our recent interview with Aya Nakamura.

Directed by Sean Holmes
Book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine
Music and lyrics by Jim Fortune
Musical Director: Benjamin Holder
Design by Grace Smart
Puppetry Direction and Design by Peter O’Rourke
Sound Design by Tony Gayle
Choreography by Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu

Pinocchio plays at Shakespeare’s Globe until Saturday 4 January