The Stage

Pinocchio

Published Tuesday 15 December 2009 at 16:00 by Thom Dibdin

There is a real flair to Alan McHugh’s integration of the pantomime elements into his Pinocchio.

Carlo Collodi’s original plot might be adapted in its detail, but the moral underpinning of it remains clear, while the local references, sweetie shower, bad jokes and shout-outs for audience members are all worked smoothly in. It does, however, lack a few really topical references.

Billy Mack continues to impress as Dame Bella Bella, with a performance that is at once knowing enough to draw the audience into the plot, and deliciously physical. His chasing after Antony Strachan’s solidly played Geppetto keeps the comedy level high and the plot moving swiftly on. Their dance routines are the stuff of great physical comedy.

George Rae brings a dancer’s physicality to his Pinocchio and he copes well with the dreaded extending nose. Lisa Gardner’s Azure Fairy doesn’t come over as too bossy, but could add a bit more character. Against her, Jonathan Stone Stromboli, the Puppet Master is convincingly dark, while Michael Moreland and Suzi Budd create a pair of vicious, sneaky malingerers in their Sleek fox and Sly cat.

Bradley Richardson, Kelly Zena and Jonathan Hill provide strong dance support, from the opening ballet sequence to the more boisterous modern sequences. Lynn Buys’ ice-cream orientated Dame outfits are a treat and musical director Graeme Budd keeps the tempo high from the pit.