Tall tales with a happy ending are in store at Norden Farm in Maidenhead this Christmas thanks to its festive production of Pinocchio.
Stuff and Nonsense Theatre has produced the show for the arts centre which is very close to Twyford and Wargrave.
It is the unique story of ‘when dad was made of wood’.
One cold night Pinocchio, Geppetto and Sonny go on a journey in search of a place to live. Little do they know the house they’re staying in is a playground for their imaginations.
Stuff and Nonsense create family theatre, and their adaptation of Pinocchio combines classic elements of the story – a poor woodcarver, the tell-tale growing nose, the dream of becoming a real boy – with hilarity, skilled puppetry, original music, and extraordinary physical tricks.
Who is in the cast of Pinocchio?
The cast comprises Joss MacDonald as Pinocchio, Richard Emerson-Gould as Geppetto and Jenny Harrold as Sonny. They are all puppeteers as well as actors.
Joss J. MacDonald
Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, he graduated with First Class honours from an Acting and Physical Theatre degree at East 15 Acting School in 2019. Joss trained there in movement, puppetry, aerial and mime, among other skills.
Joss is a frequent collaborator and puppeteer with Little Angel Theatre in London.
Most recently he has worked with internationally acclaimed physical theatre company Gecko on their new show From Here On which toured London and Europe this year.
Joss has a love for all things movement based and cannot wait to be Pinocchio in this exciting new retelling.
Richard Emerson-Gould
He is making his Stuff and Nonsense debut as Geppetto in Pinocchio.
His theatre work includes Chess with ENO at the London Coliseum, A Chorus of Disapproval at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Alain Boublil’s Manhattan Parisienne at The Other Palace and the UK Premiere of Eugene O’Neil’s The First Man at Jermyn Street Theatre.
His extensive repertory in the UK includes Colchester, Watford, Cardiff, Northampton, Basingstoke, Harrogate, Chipping Norton, Salisbury, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Bury Saint Edmunds and Hornchurch.
His film work includes The Last Photograph, Not For Sale and Radio.
Richard also works as a writer, composer and lyricist.
Jenny Harrold
A long-term collaborator with Stuff and Nonsense, she devised and performed in eight of their shows.
She trained at East 15 Acting School, graduating in 2004.
Jenny has been in several BBC Radio 4 plays, short films and mini series and over the years has performed extensively across the UK and internationally.
Read more: Pantomimes and festive plays in and around Reading this Christmas
When is Pinocchio being performed at Norden Farm and how much are tickets?
The family friendly show launched on Tuesday, November 26. The festive play runs until Saturday, December 28.
Tickets cost £16, or £14 for under 16s.
The arts centre has a family and friends ticket for up to four people. This costs £56.
Norden Farm says that Pinocchio is particularly suitable for children aged between three and 10.
The run time of the show is 60 minutes and there is no interval.
Tickets are available from the Norden Farm box office by calling 01628 788997 or logging on to its website, https://norden.farm/events/pinocchio-77
Are there any relaxed or signed performances of Pinocchio?
Norden farm is arranging two special relaxed performances, and one signed performance.
The relaxed performances are designed for people who have additional needs, don’t like the lights going down, or are uncomfortable with bangs and flashes.
Nordern Farm’s team say these are ideal for families with babies or toddlers, or children with SEND, but everyone would be welcome to come along.
The two performances are both scheduled for 11am, with the first on Saturday, November 30, and the second on Friday, December 27.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing and appreciate a British Sign Language interpreter, Norden Farm is organising a special performance at 2pm on Saturday, December 21.
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