Berkshire

We all know the story &#8211; wooden boy, wants to be real, goes a bit wayward, and is eaten by a whale (as you do). But the magical rendition of <a href="https://norden.farm/events/pinocchio-77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinocchio</a> at Norden Farm in Maidenhead isn&#8217;t the Disney-esque tale you&#8217;re perhaps expecting. With just three actors on stage, we&#8217;re introduced to Pinocchio, Geppetto, and Sonny, except here, Pinocchio is a fully grown man reminiscing about his puppet youth with his dad and son.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1396" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/pinochio.jpg" alt="Review: Pinocchio at Norden Farm christmas show near me" class="wp-image-71399" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/pinochio.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/pinochio-800x745.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/pinochio-1000x931.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/pinochio-400x372.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/pinochio-768x715.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Mark Morreau</figcaption></figure>



The show is the brainchild of the family theatre company Stuff and Nonsense, with Artistic Director Niki McCretton in fact involving children anywhere from four years old in the creative process of its development. It began during lockdown where she found there was a real appetite for conveying relationships between fathers and sons, as well as the feeling of togetherness when it comes to simple things like having meals around a table. 



The influence from the kid&#8217;s input is evident throughout the show. It&#8217;s truly a show made by kids for kids from the songs to the comedy, and the crowd of young school children (around the age of six) were completely and utterly loving it. From the very first scene, you have your classic &#8216;he&#8217;s over there&#8217; type skit, a really funny opening act which had the children squealing with laughter, plus some clever sleight of hand moments using props.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1055" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0171.jpg" alt="Review: Pinocchio at Norden Farm christmas show maidenhead" class="wp-image-73730" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0171.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0171-800x563.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0171-1000x703.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0171-400x281.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0171-768x540.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Mark Morreau</figcaption></figure>



The fun only continued. Throughout the approximate 70-minute run-time, all the children were entirely captivated, and no exaggeration when I say a number of them were bouncing in their seats with excitement. They laughed in all the right places, joined in when asked, and were glued to the action until the very end. All signs the production company really knows their audience through and through.



The show has all the classic elements you&#8217;d expect &#8211; crazy adventures, shady animals attempting to steal Pinocchio&#8217;s gold, and that huge growing nose (it wouldn&#8217;t be the same without it). That scene was a particular crowd pleaser &#8211; simply done with a wooden stick but intentionally so, so that children can recreate the magic at home. 



Another highlight was the moment Pinocchio finds himself in a pickle, stuck between going down the &#8216;right&#8217; path and becoming a real boy or heading off to the land of toys. The kids were utterly divided, turning to their friends in disbelief if they disagreed. But honestly, who came blame them? The latter sounds much more fun. So off Pinocchio goes to the land of toys, with lessons soon learned when things don&#8217;t seem as rosy as first anticipated. Cue the braying donkeys.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1875" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10.jpg" alt="Review: Pinocchio at Norden Farm christmas show near me" class="wp-image-73728" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10-768x960.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Joss-MacDonald-10-1229x1536.jpg 1229w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Joss J. MacDonald plays Pinocchio</figcaption></figure>



The show was a masterclass in puppetry, leaving the children utterly spellbound. The set works hard, and the staging is beautifully put together with simple props like adjustable tables and wheely chairs which really aid the physical comedy &#8211; another element executed very well. There&#8217;s tumbles, falls, shoulder stands, and disappearing acts which leave you with a smile on your face. 



All the actors played a range of different characters, executing the voices and accents of each brilliantly. They played up the silliness to just the right level and really knew how to capture their young audience&#8217;s interest. As for the singing, Geppetto&#8217;s falsetto was something to behold (apparently it takes actor Richard Emerson-Gould a full 60 minutes to warm up the pipes for it). Hilariously, he doubled up as playing the Blue Fairy which was a real highlight and had the audience in stitches. The songs are very catchy which always helps too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1429" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0005.jpg" alt="Review: Pinocchio at Norden Farm christmas show near me" class="wp-image-73729" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0005.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0005-560x800.jpg 560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0005-700x1000.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0005-280x400.jpg 280w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/Pinocchio-0005-768x1097.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Mark Morreau</figcaption></figure>



Of course, no Christmas show is complete without its classic heartwarming festive message of family, love, and that profound sense of belonging. Naturally, this production has all of that and more, whilst still maintaining its hallmark humour, wit and frolicking fun. Ultimately, Pinocchio at Norden Farm is just a brilliant little Christmas show that kids anywhere from 3 &#8211; 10 will simply adore. Throughout its almost five-week run, there&#8217;s family-friendly relaxed performances, suitable for children with SEND, as well as a signed performance on the 21 Dec too.



<a href="https://norden.farm/events/pinocchio-77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinocchio</a> is showing at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead from now until 28 Dec. Tickets are £16 for adults and £14 for under 16s. Grab yours <a href="https://norden.farm/events/pinocchio-77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Review: Pinocchio at Norden Farm

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