Pinocchio, Stratford East Review
Dylan Collymore in Pinocchio at Stratford East. Photo by Craig Fuller
Written by Chelsea for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
From the team that brought you Cinderella, the first panto ever to be nominated for an Olivier Award in 2008, Pinocchio comes to Stratford East on its 140th anniversary this Christmas season.
The production follows the classic tale of Pinocchio, a boy made of wood who wants to become a real boy. Along the way, he encounters a cast of colourful characters who help and hinder his journey to becoming the kind son his father, Geppetto, can be proud of.
The play begins with the oh so fun Krik-Krak, played by Nicole Louise Lewis, bringing us into the world of the show with a call and response that gets the audience moving in their seats. Then in pops Blue Rinse Fairy, played by Stratford East Panto alum Michael Bertenshaw, who is an aging forgetful fairy with a surprise twist. These two characters bring the majority of the show breaks where we leave the storyline to participate in sing alongs and dances.
Pinocchio, played by Dylan Collymore, fights with the inner turmoil all kids go through at some time or other of deciding to do the right thing, or the fun thing. Often led off the good path by Sly Fox, played by Rushand Chambers, and Miss Kat, played by Jhanaica Van Mook, Pinocchio finds himself in lots of sticky situations. From being turned into a donkey to getting stuck in the belly of a Shark.
Stratford East has always been a theatre keen on giving new coming actors a place to perform, and this show is no exception. The cast is made up of many actors straight out of drama school with little to no theatre credits in their bio, but that won’t last long. They were all individually so talented and fun, their futures look very bright!
Finally, the set and costume design, by Stewart J. Charlesworth, bring the piece cohesively together with its broken down but bright pizazz. It almost feels like the characters are living in a 1950’s Disney video game and it gives the perfect back drop to this classic tale while still honouring what we all love about panto.
Although it doesn’t give the older audience members many adult jokes, it’s a good children’s show and quite easy to follow for the younger kids in the family. I don’t know that adult groups will like this show on their own, but if you are bringing kids along its sure to be a good time for the whole party!
At Stratford East until 4 Jan 2025.
★★★★
