Northern Ballet - children's ballets - on tour 2022 - Pinocchio

[Jan McNulty]

So a couple of friends and I trekked out to Oldham Coliseum on Thursday afternoon to see Northern Ballet's latest children's production Pinocchio created by company dancer Gavin McCaig.

 

One of the pleasures of going to see the children's ballets in a theatre is seeing the enjoyment of the children in the audience and Thursday was no exception.

 

There is no programme but there are free sheets telling you the story that have a picture to colour in on the back.  There performances only last 40 minutes and are suitable for very young children and adults alike.  The dancers of Northern Ballet are all really invested in these performances and that shines through.

 

As to the story, Geppetto makes a wooden puppet he names Pinocchio.  He is desperate for a son of his own and makes a wish.  In the night a water sprite appears to grant Geppetto's wish and when he comes down in the morning and finds Pinocchio is now a real son he is thrilled to bits.

 

Geppetto sends Pinocchio to the market to get some supplies but the boy is distracted and ends up being duped into performing at a circus.  He is imprisoned by the circus master.  The water sprite and a frog appear to rescue Pinocchio but he is too ashamed to tell the truth about what has happened.  Every time he lies he sneezes and his nose grows longer.  The water sprite explains to Pinocchio about always telling the truth and he sees the error of his ways.  They take him home and he tells his father the truth and his nose is restored to normal.

 

Gavin has created some very attractive choreography and tells the story clearly.  The dancers really give it their all.  Cast sheets are not available and it was hard to identify the dancers in their costumes but I recognised Albert Gonzalez Orts as a wonderful Pinocchio.

 

The performance is accompanied by 4 musicians from the Northern Ballet Orchestra.

 

These children's ballets are a fantastic introduction to seeing live theatre for young children.