Pinocchio (2017 musical)

Pinocchio is an upcoming stage musical based on the classic children's story by Carlo Collodi and the 1940 Walt Disney film, adapted by Dennis Kelly and featuring songs and score from the film by Leigh Harline, Ned Washington and Paul J. Smith, newly adapted by Martin Lowe.

Development

In July 2015, Daily Mail columnist, Baz Bamigboye revealed that the National Theatre in London would develop a new stage adaptation of Pinocchio with Disney Theatrical Productions that would combine elements of the original children's novel (The Adventures of Pinocchio) by Carlo Collodi and the 1940 animated Disney film, directed by John Tiffany with a book by Enda Walsh, design by Bob Crowley, choreography by Steven Hoggett using the songs from the film by Leigh Harline, Ned Washington and Paul J. Smith such as "When You Wish Upon A Star", "Give A Little Whistle", "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor’s Life For Me)", "Little Wooden Head" and "I’ve Got No Strings" as well as songs never used for the film and from the Disney back-catalog.^[1]

A workshop took place in late 2015 and the production was scheduled to be presented at the National for Christmas 2016, however due to Tiffany's involvement with the two-part West End play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the production was delayed.

In January 2017, Bamigboye revealed that the production would make its world premiere in December 2017, with playwright Dennis Kelly (writer of the smash hit Matilda the Musical for the Royal Shakespeare Company) replacing Enda Walsh as book writer, who withdrew from the project due to a heavy workload. Rufus Norris, director of the National Theatre told Bamigboye that the National would not receive 'one cent' from Disney Theatricals who have only granted rights to use the songs and story, giving the National total artistic control and to produce it solely.^[2]

Productions

National Theatre, London (2017-18)

The world premiere of the musical will take place in the Lyttleton Theatre at the National Theatre in London from 1 December 2017.

The production will be directed by John Tiffany and feature design and puppet co-design by Bob Crowley, lighting design by Paule Constable, music supervision, orchestrations and additional music by Martin Lowe, choreography by Steven Hoggett, puppet co-design and puppetry direction by Toby Olié, sound design by Simon Baker and illusions by Jamie Harrison. The production will be presented by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.^[3]

On 9 April following Tiffany's win for Best Director at the 2017 Olivier Awards for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Tiffany revealed to Gay Times that there would be some gender-bending with the characters in the story, but did not reveal which ones.^[4]

Joe Idris-Roberts was announced to play the title role of Pinocchio^[5] and later Aubrey Brisson as Jiminy Cricket^[6] and David Langham as the Fox^[7].

Cast

References

External links