The 2024 festive production at The Watermill Theatre will be a brand-new musical adaptation for all the family of Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio adapted by Simon Reade, with music and lyrics by Chris Larner and co-directed by Elle While and Indiana Lown-Collins. The production opens on Friday November 15 and ends on Sunday January 5. Book online here or phone the Box Office on 01635 46044. The Watermill are offering a special treat to audiences for the first performance on 15 November at 5.30pm – tickets will be £15 and will include a complimentary hot drink and sweet treat from the Watermill café before the show. There will also be a Pinocchio Fun Day on 29 October, where participants can create themed crafts, join in with drama games sessions and listen to storytelling. More info here.
Michael Morpurgo has been writing stories since the 1970s and is one of the UK’s best-loved authors, Michael was appointed Children’s Laureate in 2003 and was awarded the OBE for his writing in 2006. He has written over 130 books, including The Butterfly Lion, Kensuke’s Kingdom, The Mozart Question and War Horse, which was adapted for the stage by the National Theatre and then, in 2011, for a film by Steven Spielberg. Many of Michael’s other books have been adapted for the stage including Private Peaceful, An Elephant In the Garden, Toro Toro!, The Mozart Question, The Butterfly Lion, I Believe In Unicorns, Why the Whales Came and Kensuke’s Kingdom.
Michael was awarded a Knighthood in the New Year’s Honours in 2018 for services to literature and charity.
Elle While and Indiana Lown-Collins said of the production, “We’re thrilled to be bringing Simon Reade’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s artfully told, funny and anarchic story of our favourite puppet boy Pinocchio to life. We’re excited for audiences to join us on an adventure into a magical world where things aren’t always what they seem.”
Lovingly carved in Geppetto’s workshop, Pinocchio’s parents dream of a bright future for their wooden son. Pinocchio, however, dreams of adventure and sets off on a path of fun and freedom ready to discover the world. Along the way, Pinocchio is confronted with big decisions and a menagerie of colourful characters, leading to calamitous consequences as he starts a fire, turns into a donkey, and even ends up inside a whale!
Michael Morpurgo said, “At last, Pinocchio speaks for himself! About time too. And I’m so thrilled he’s doing it at the Watermill. Come see Pinocchio as he’d like to be seen. Simon Reade and I are rare amongst writers. Others have read Pinocchio, the Collodi version of his life, or seen the movie. We’ve met him! Come see the show and you can meet him too!”
Newbury’s Horsey Lightly Solicitors,long-time supporters of The Watermill are generously supporting this production.
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