The merry panto season is upon us, and Theatre Royal Stratford East is putting its own spin on the classic tale of Pinocchio. Filled with spirited singalongs, fun audience interaction, and plenty of festive cheer, this colorful production aims squarely at entertaining its core audience of youngsters. But does the famous wooden puppet’s journey hold enough magic to captivate the grown-ups too?
A Simplified Story with Panto Twists
Director Omar F Okai and writer Trish Cooke have whittled down Carlo Collodi’s original plot into an energetic romp that zips along at a quick pace. We meet the impoverished carpenter Geppetto, played warmly by Tok Morakinyo, as he carves a puppet son named Pinocchio. Brought to life by the elderly Blue Rinse Fairy, a cheeky twist on the traditional Blue Fairy, the mischievous marionette must prove himself worthy of becoming a real boy.
Dylan Collymore imbues the title role with charm and a lovely singing voice as he stumbles in and out of scrapes with the conniving Sly Fox and Miss Kat. Will he escape the threatening puppet master, a menacing shark, and learn to be honest and true? While the life lessons are served up quite directly for the little ones, the creative team seasons the simple story with some fun panto elements.
Krik Krak Gets the Crowd Going
The most successful panto ingredient is surely Nicole Louise Lewis as Krik Krak, a lively cricket character who acts as both narrator and audience cheerleader. “When I say ‘Krik’, you say ‘Krak’!” instructs Krik Krak, and the kids eagerly join in the call-and-response game each time. Popping in and out of scenes to rally the crowd, Lewis’ high-energy performance adds an extra interactive spark.
Surprising Senior Fairy
Another quirky innovation is Michael Bertenshaw’s elderly Blue Rinse Fairy, complete with granny wig and jokes about brain fog. Not your typical spry sprite by any means, this fairy godmother still has a few aces up her sleeve. Bertenshaw finds humor in the character’s advanced age while hinting at hidden depths beneath the doddery demeanor.
Lively Songs and Eye-Popping Visuals
Where this production really shines is in the musical numbers. Hyman and Cooke’s catchy original songs blend influences from reggae to soul to disco, giving the talented cast ample chances to shine. Collymore’s sweet voice soars, Morakinyo brings soulful warmth, and the villainous duo of Rushand Chambers and Jhanaica Van Mook bust some impressive moves while belting. The young audience clapped and grooved along happily.
Stewart J Charlesworth’s vivid set and costumes create a storybook feel, with saturated colors and playful details that evoke video game landscapes. A lovely early scene creating Pinocchio is a visual highlight. The bold look suits the cartoonish action and kid-focused tone.
Lacking Cross-Generational Appeal
While the youngsters were consistently engaged, laughing and joining in, the production doesn’t quite transcend its target demographic to offer the cross-generational humor and winking asides that the best pantos deliver. The material and approach feel firmly aimed at the children, with clear repetition of morals and plot points. Adults may find themselves a bit restless at points between admiring the bright spectacle.
It may not grip the adults as much as the children, but it exudes festive warmth.
The pacing also wobbles a bit, particularly in the first act, with transitions into audience participation bits sometimes slowing narrative momentum. Cooke’s efficient script gets the job done but lacks the comedic complexity to fully engage the adults.
The Verdict
Theatre Royal Stratford East’s Pinocchio panto prioritizes its core audience of children and succeeds in delighting them with lively songs, eye-catching visuals, and opportunities to interact and participate. While it may not be the most sophisticated or universally entertaining panto in town, it still delivers a hearty dose of holiday cheer and feelgood spirit for the family.
For the little ones eager to experience the communal magic of panto and root for a mischievous underdog hero, this Pinocchio hits the spot. The hard-working cast give their all to create an inviting, uplifting atmosphere. If the adults find their minds occasionally wandering, the kids’ rapt faces and happy hum-alongs prove the production is casting its spell where it counts most.
