PINOCCHIO. To 30 December.
Edinburgh
PINOCCHIO
by Carlo Collodi adapted by Mark Thomson..
Royal Lyceum Theatre To 30 December 2006.
1 & 2, 7 - 9, 13 – 16, 19 – 23 and 26 – 30 December 7pm Mat Sat and 21 – 23, 26 – 29 December 2:30pm.
Runs 2hr 15 min. One interval
TICKETS: 0131 248 4848
www.lyceum.org.uk.
Review: Thelma Good 2 December 2006.
Playing it larger than life.
Some stories, the cast tell us just need to be told. When they hear this one is about a block of wood they’re not that keen. But with us the audience waiting to be entertained they start.
The original story is full of moral lessons for the puppet Pinocchio and for us. It could get a bit earnest and dour like those improving books strict households used to give children when I was a child in the Scotland of the 1950s but Mark Thomson’s script and direction avoids that. He’s stuck pretty close to the original, but in directing his actors to play it larger than life, and in giving them lines full of humour to play with, its improving messages delight rather than irritate, with a few songs to punctuate the story.
In the central role of the puppet with the extraordinary lengthening nose is James Anthony Pearson, notably giving us Pinocchio’s gradual change from a heartless wooden being to a flesh-and-blood boy. On the way he’s tempted away from the straight and narrow by the naughtiest of naughty boys, Lamp-wick, who as played by Jonathan Holt has the attraction of a young Michael Crawford.
There are a variety of animals including Andrew Clark’s Fox, Molly Innes’ Cat and the gloriously camp poodle Medoro played by Matthew Pidgeon. He also delivers the Green Fisherman whose netted fish chant “It is our destiny” and a charming Puppet Master. Simon Scott is the tender hearted puppet creator Gepetto while Shonagh Price’s Azure Fairy is hindered by her blue make-up.
Robert Innes Hopkins’ set is a bit sparse for a family play at Christmas, leaving the stage clear for action with four entrances either side and roll-on mini sets for certain settings. Events happen swiftly; at times it seems Pinocchio will never learn as he encounters Innes’ superbly creepy Toyland Driver or the equally spooky Doctors. The complexities of the story and the moral tangles may not engage the very young child or those who like sweet tales, It’s more one for older children and adults to enjoy.
Pinocchio: James Anthony Pearson..
Cricket, Parrot: Romana Abercromby..
Storyteller, Fox, Alidoro, Policeman: Andy Clark.
Glowworm: Alastair Gillies.
Storyteller, Lamp-wick, Dr Midge, Coalman: Jonathan Holt.
Storyteller, Cat, Toyland Driver, Dr Owl: Molly Innes.
Storyteller, Medoro, Green Fisherman, Bricklayer, Puppetmaster: Matthew Pidgeon.
Storyteller, Azure Fairy: Shonagh Price.
Storyteller, Harlequin, Dot, Dr Crow, Rosaura: Siobhan Reilly.
Storyteller, Repetto: Simon Scott.
Director/Writer: Mark Thomson.
Designer: Robert Innes Hopkins.
Lighting: Davy Cunningham.
Composer and Musical Director: Jon Beales.
Movement: Malcolm Shields.
Magic Consultant: Jamie Harrison.
Assistant director: Mauro Silva.
2006-12-10 11:33:32