Pinocchio

In the hands of Steve Tiplady, as Geppetto, here the Pinocchio story is inventively worked via puppetry and what Tiplady calls ‘object theatre’ where the objects (brushes, saws, teapots, etc) of his carpenter’s workshop are used to tell stories and to fashion characters, along with some neat illusions and shadow play. This version, like the classic Disney animation, eschews the nastier traits of Pinocchio as originally written, but so too goes the Disney obsessions with the nose and the character of Jiminy Cricket, who barely appears.

Tiplady has geared the show towards the very young (4+) but works in plenty of gags to keep adults keen, and purposefully introduces improvisatory elements, in particular engaging the young, although sometimes to the detriment of pacing. Local musician Kate Daisy-Grant live soundtracks the show via a wide variety of exotic and esoteric instruments, and together they have fashioned a highly original and engrossing version of this perennial family favourite.

The Old Market, 30 December 2013, (runs until 2 January 2014)

Rating: