My Son Pinocchio Jr

This production, from the stable of the ever popular ‘junior’ versions of Disney classics, attracted a large audience  and was a big hit with children and adults alike. Telling the story of the lonely toy maker ‘Geppetto’ (played well by Tarn Cain) who, childless, fashions a son and heir for himself from wood. His heartfelt wish for a real live son is heard and granted, with the help of Fairies including Georgina Smailes, Faye Slater and Lucy Boyle (as Arancia, Viola, and Rosa respectively), trainee fairies Tara Bolen and Jenny Slater and (as the name implies) ‘naughty fairy’ played by Caitlin Burrill. Leader of this fairy cooperative was the ‘Blue Fairy’ – a role that suited Amy Beckford both in performance and vocally.

Sadly for Geppetto, the rigours of caring and parenting the pre-adolescent ‘Pinocchio’ (in another wonderful performance by Harry Sanderson) are beyond his capabilities. Geppetto’s perception of caring for the ‘perfect son’ are flawed, and soon he regrets his choices. In a plot twist similar to the Christmas film ’it’s a Wonderful Life’, the Blue Fairy lets Geppetto see what his life would be like without Pinocchio, if he were lured away as a star attraction in the circus of ‘Stromboli’ – played well by Rebecca Mayer.

Eventually the prospect of never seeing Pinocchio again causes, via magical hokery-pokery, the wish of Geppetto to be granted and he ends loving his son unconditionally.
It is impossible to mention the 42 strong cast individually, but special mention to William Hodgson and Holly Cain, as Prof. Buonragazzo and Ring Leader respectively, as well as each and everyone else who played their parts

The production including classic numbers such as “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings” was performed against colourful set, and musically controlled well by NODA award-winning Ross Norman as MD with Judith Pankhirst on the keyboard and well directed by Ann Chadwick.
Well done.

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