If you grew up with the Disney animation of Pinocchio as your reference point (as I did), then this year’s pantomime version at Stratford East gives a modern and multicultural twist to this children’s classic.
For those who don’t know the Pinocchio story, the original tale was first published as a book in 1883 by Italian author Carlo Collodi. It tells the story of a puppet created by toymaker Geppetto that is brought to life by a blue fairy. Pinocchio is a living puppet but he longs to be a ‘real boy’.
We watch as Pinocchio navigates various temptations with Jiminy - a cricket - as his external conscience – as he tries to be good to attain his wish. But when Pinocchio struggles to be a model child and lies to hide his mistakes - and as he does, the length of his nose grows!
The Pinocchio story is steeped in moral lessons that are directed at youngsters and the ones seated around me at the panto did not disappoint. They roared their disgust at the baddies - Sly Fox (played by Rushand Chambers) and Miss Kat (played by Jhanaica Van Mook) as they did their best to manipulate Pinocchio.
What was fascinating about watching Trish Cooke’s version of Pinocchio was how it remained true to the Carlo Collodi original (rather than the Disney one), but still managed to embrace many contemporary elements of London’s rich multicultural communities.
According to director Omar F Okai, whose father hails from Ghana: “Stratford East pantos have a certain uniqueness in the way they are structured - often looking back to the original story’s and developing from that, as opposed to copying the blueprint of all other pantos.”
Trish’s panto incorporates a range of musical genres including “soul, disco, reggae, soca, and a dash of East End knees up”, Omar explains. And I swear I saw Pinocchio (played by Dylan Collymore) bust some Alkayida and Azonto dance moves (from Ghana) during the performance too.
Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio’s externalised conscience, is renamed Krik-Krak – a name that pays homage to Caribbean storytelling origins.
“Krik” says Nicole Louise Lewis (who plays the character) - to which we, the audience, replies “Krak”. This call-and-response style is another acknowledgement of African and Caribbean cultural storytelling practices, and is complemented by Krik-Krak introducing herself to us in rap.
My favourite panto characters were Blue Rinse Fairy (played by Michael Bertenshaw) and Pinocchio. I loved Blue Rinse Fairy's ditzy personality, ineffectual fairy skills and clever side jokes. I particularly liked the twist that emerges between Geppetto ( played by Tok Morakinyo) and Blue Rinse Fairy.
Dylan, who plays Pinocchio, was a convincing little boy despite being an adult in real life. He was sufficiently eager, mischievous and is an excellent dancer. I loved how elements of his costume added to the illusion of him being made of wood too.
Other memorable elements to the performance were the ‘East End-style’ song-and-dance routine between the weasels (Charlotte Louise and Travis Wood), and the futuristic-style costumes, particularly those worn in the school scene.
The group interaction with the audience was heart-warming and I especially loved it when Pinocchio and Krik-Krak made us all feel like we were part of his special 'becoming a boy' party - some of us in the crowd got sweets!
All in all, this year’s pantomime, Stratford East’s 140th at that venue, was an ambitious refresh of a classic that succeeded in bringing out the child in you - whatever your age.
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