My Son Pinocchio, Gepetto`s Musical Tale

My Son Pinocchio, Geppetto`s Musical Tale is a musical re-telling of the story- The Adventures of Pinocchio, but this time told from Geppetto`s perspective.

The Blue Fairy, played confidently by Mary Patrick, is celebrating one of her perfectly granted wishes with her Fairies in Training- Rosa, Arancia and Viola (Rebecca Barnard, Caitlyn Aires and Hayley Dent). These were all well played, with perfect deportment, but special mention has to go to Elisia`s Ryder`s, fairy with attitude, Sue- uncharmed, I`m sure!

Geppetto (Charmingly played by Andy Sproxton)  arrives with a request for Pinocchio to be returned, as he doesn`t follow the rules, embarrasses him and doesn`t want to be a toymaker-thus making this wish less than perfect.

I guess Fairies have a “No returns policy” as the Blue Fairy, instead of taking Pinocchio back takes Geppetto back……… in time, to remind him of why he wanted Pinocchio, and the truth behind their stories.

Here we meet all of the town children wanting to buy his toys- most of them wanting their own way and doing everything they can to get it. Lamenting the fact he has no children, whilst putting the finishing touches to Evelyn Cohen`s endearing, (and in no way wooden) Pinocchio, he wishes he had a child. The Blue Fairy appears and brings Pinocchio to life, with the promise of making him a real boy if he  one day proves his worth.

Moving between past and present, we learn about Pinocchio embarrassing Geppetto, Pinocchio`s first day at school (where he gets into a fight) and his meeting with the not so successful puppeteer, Stromboli (Energetically played for laughs by Will Patrick). Will had the audience right where he wanted them with his puppeteering skills (or lack thereof), and his puppets deserve a special mention

Pinocchio overhears Geppetto telling the Blue Fairy that he doesn`t want him anymore, and runs away, leaving a note to say he`s gone to work with Stromboli.

Stromboli takes Pinocchio in and has him working for him. Geppetto goes in search of Pinocchio to say goodbye and wish him luck. Pinocchio escapes from the abusive Stromboli, who vows to recapture him.

Geppetto then meets Professor Buanragazzo (irrepressibly played by Chris Barker) who makes perfect obedient children, some talking animals, spends  time on Pleasure Island, finds Pinocchio, is swallowed by a whale and finally lives happily ever after when Pinocchio is turned into a real boy.

All of the chorus numbers were delivered with energy and exuberance, the chorus obviously thoroughly enjoying  themselves.

If I have one criticism, it has to be diction- not just in the some of the chorus numbers, but with a few of the principal roles too, in speech and song. Whilst the story itself is easy enough to visually follow, it would have been nice to totally understand what was being sung/ said.

Lighting, staging and sound were complimentary- I particularly liked the setting of inside the whale- a fine example of simple setting, and good lighting.

Choreography by Caroline barker was simple, with everyone working well, and within their limits.

Music was provided through backing tracks. This is a fun musical, with plenty of good songs- as you`d expect from the writer of Wicked, Stephen Schwartz

Artistic and Musical Director, Graham Barker should be pleased with this production, and how well the younger members brought it to life.

Thank you, CAST, for your invitation, and your hospitality.

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