“I want to be a real boy!” Join wooden puppet Pinocchio, and his poor toy maker father Geppetto in Stratford this Christmas! Will Blue Rinse Fairy and Krik Krak the cricket be able to keep Pinocchio off the crooked path, as he battles the trials and tribulations of becoming a “real boy”?
The writers and director behind the pantomime rendition of an animation film classic are promising a side-splitting fun for all the family later this month.
London theatre Stratford East is marking its 140th year with a rendition of PINOCCHIO from 23 November 2024 until 4 January 2025.
Stratford East pantos are known for tearing up the rulebook and telling classic stories with a twist. This year is anticipated to be no different and will feature a blend of original music, comedy and enchanting sets and costumes designed to transport audiences into another world.
Robert Hyman, who is the writer behind the music and lyrics in this Pinocchio performance, said: “I am utterly thrilled to be writing with the amazing Trish Cooke again after so many years! Stratford audiences have always enjoyed what we create, and this year is going to be no exception.
"With the ever-stylish Omar Okai (another Stratford panto veteran) directing and the thrilling return of Stratford favourite, the anarchic Michael Bertenshaw, I know this year is going to be funny, funky, fast, fabulous, and fun for all the family.”
Omar F. Okai, director of the PINOCCHIO performance, has a history of working with Stratford East that spans 35 years and brings a wealth of experience to the production. He has been a director choreographer of over 75 productions in the UK, China and across Europe.
Omar, who is the co-director and co-founder of the Black British Theatre Awards, said: "This year's show has a historic significance, and the most talented performers and creatives are going to bring the house down with a fresh, funky, full-on adaptation of this timeless classic.”
Omar, who is a fourth-generation Brit whose roots come from Ghana, Ireland, and Brazil, comes from a rich family heritage of performers. His parents were circus performers in Austria and his grandmother Annie Barnes, was part of Britain’s first Black African ballet company, ‘Ballet Negre’.
Now co-director and co-founder of the Black British Theatre Awards, Omar started his career as a dancer, training at the London Contemporary Dance School, and has starred in many West End leading roles including the Olivier Award winning Five Guys Named Moe, Sweet Charity, and My One and Only.
He co-created the award-winning Okai Collier Company, creating new works and giving a springboard to developing creatives.
He was also been associate director on Get Up Stand Up at The Lyric, and associate on the Bedknobs and Broomsticks Disney Tour/Michael Harrison.
He recently directed ‘Enitans Game’ Omar and co-wrote for Punchdrunk Enrichment, has been nominated for two OFFIES (The OffWestEnd Theatre Award).
The cast
The PINOCCHIO cast includes beloved panto dame Michael Bertenshaw returning to the stage as Blue Rinse Fairy, Rushand Chambers as Sly Fox, Dylan Collymore as Pinocchio, Nicole Louise-Lewis as Krik Krak, Charlotte Louise as Ella/Taylor and Dance Captain, Tok Morakinyo as Geppetto, Jhanaica Van Mook as Miss Kat, and Travis Wood as Lampwick/Antonio. MD/Keys Nick Barstow is joined by Perry Melius on drums/percussion and Sara Farina on bass.
Images below. Left to right: Nicole Louise-Lewis as Krik Krak, Travis Wood as Lampwick/Antonio and Tok Morakinyo as Geppetto
The creative team
Completing the creative team are set and costume designer Stewart J. Charlesworth, lighting designer Bretta Gerecke, sound designer Gareth Fry, musical director Nick Barstow, choreographer Claudimar Neto, assistant choreographers Abz Kareem and Bradley Salter, assistant director Sadie-Jean Shirley, casting consultant Jill Green CDG with casting associate Tom Shiels, and costume supervisor Alice Lessing.
Performance schedule
Tickets are available from £10 for every performance.
Captioned Performance - Fri 20 Dec, 6.30pm
Audio Described Performance - Sat 21 Dec, 12pm
BSL Interpreted Performance – Sat 21 Dec, 5pm
Relaxed Performance - Sat 04 Jan, 12pm
Visit www.stratford.east.com
Comments