• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

Pinocchio at the Ambassadors Theatre

August 3, 2017 by Antonia Windsor Leave a Comment

Review of: Pinocchio
Price:
£12.50

Reviewed by: Antonia Windsor
Rating:
4
On August 3, 2017
Last modified:August 3, 2017

Summary:

A heartwarming youth theatre production of Neil Bartram's wonderful musical Pinocchio. The British Theatre Academy provide a committed and talented cast of young performers for this delightful retelling of the classic Italian story. You will leave the theatre humming the songs and energised by all the youthful vigour.

More Details

A heartwarming youth theatre production of Neil Bartram’s fantastic musical Pinocchio begins its summer run in the West End. The show is produced by The British Theatre Academy who provide a large cast of children and young people ranging from age six to late teens. Heading up the young team are professionals Martin Neely, playing a lovable Geppetto and Lizzie Rees as the narrator/blue fairy.

This musical retelling of the classic Italian tale of a wooden puppet who turns into a boy is full of charm and morality. The show opens with some fine shadow puppetry before we get whisked into the world of Pinocchio. His misadventures see him working as a puppet performer, getting conned by the wily Fox and Cat and being seduced into the land of boys  – the Terra Di Rigazzi. The big Terra Di Rigazzi number is one the most powerful and enjoyable in the show. He then ends up with his father in the belly of a whale, cleverly constructed from parachute fabric, where he proves that he has the love and empathy needed to become a real boy.

The children work incredibly hard as the ensemble in this well-directed and choreographed production and master the sometimes complex musical numbers well. The casting of the lead roles changes depending which show you watch to give the maximum number of young people the chance to shine.

On press night Nathaniel Purnell gave a stalwart performance as Pinocchio, but the real standout performances were from Tilly Hopkins as the devious Cat and Tabitha Knowles as the manipulative puppet master. There was also a virtuoso transformation from boy into donkey performed by James Sampson as Lampwick and a delightful puppet duet by a couple of the young dancers, Jessica Brown and Alice Bonney.

The adult roles were played with polish and finesse by Neely and Rees with Neely performing Geppetto’s numbers with great subtlety and soul.

The skill and commitment on the stage should motivate any young people in the audience. If you are looking for a summer show to take the kids to that delights and inspires, this is it.

Creative Team
Director: Bronagh Logan
Designer: Nik Corrall
Lighting Designer: Edward Pagett
Sound Designer: Andrew Johnson
Choreographer: Anthony Whiteman

This show is running from the 28th of July to the 31 of August 2017. Tickets can be purchased at www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk

Avatar

Author: Antonia Windsor

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Pinocchio

Join the discussion Cancel reply

NEWS / Living Record Festival of digital arts announces programme

Living Record Festival is a month-long Digital Arts Festival curating and presenting over 40 original pieces from a range of [Read More]

INTERVIEW / Open Bar on A ChristMESS CAROL

Tell us about Open Bar Theatre and also how you came about and how the name came about. OBT: Open Bar [Read More]

NEWS / Ayomide Adegun awarded The Luke Westlake Scholarship 2020

22 year old South Londoner Ayomide Adegun is currently in his 2nd year of the BA Acting course at Royal [Read More]

NEWS / Late Night Staring at High Res Pixels announced

A new play repurposed for online viewing from the creative team behind Scrounger, and the first of the Finborough Theatre’s [Read More]

NEWS / Crimes Against Christmas becomes an audio advent calendar

Typically at this time of year theatre company New Old Friends would have just finished an Autumn tour and be [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Katy Owen: How to Apply to Drama Schools*
  • Dara - The National Theatre
  • Bull - Young Vic
  • Jane Eyre at the National Theatre
  • Is this the real location of Ambridge?
  • Katy Owen: LAMDA Audition (First Round)
  • My Children! My Africa! Tristan Bates Theatre
  • Does Small to Mid Scale Theatre Touring Actually Work?
  • Avatar

    Antonia Windsor
    Author

  • August 3rd, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook144TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!