Amazing art by children celebrating Pinocchio goes on show at Norden Farm

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Actor Joss J. MacDonald playing Pinocchio holding a puppet of the same character. Both have red hats on
Pinocchio is the Christmas show at Norden Farm Picture: Mark Morreau
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Maidenhead-based Norden Farm Centre for the Arts has celebrated the talents of youngsters by displaying their entries to a drawing contest.

The artworks have been installed in the Gallery of the centre, which has been turned into a chill out space for families watching its festive show, Pinocchio.

And you don’t have to have tickets to visit the gallery: entry is free, and the exhibition is open Tuesdays to Saturdays until December 28, apart from Christmas itself.

For the contest, children were encouraged to create artwork based on Pinocchio.

Entrants could draw a festive or cosy winter outfit for Pinocchio, or draw the cover of a favourite book. This was inspired by the Book of Books which features in the original version of Pinocchio, which the family show is based on.

READ MORE: For more about the festive show

There were two age categories – three to five years and six to eight years.

The winner of the 3-5 years category was five-year-old Leah, who created an outfit with a smart hat and festive jumper with a big Christmas tree on.

The winner of the 6-8 years category was eight-year-old Anthony who drew the wooden lad in a festive green outfit, along with sparkles on his top and on the end of his nose.

Anthony was the overall winner and turned on the Christmas lights at Maidenhead town hall as part of his prize.

Both Anthony and Leah won a goody bag containing arts supplies and tickets to a show.

Norden Farm says its its Chill Out space in the Gallery is a place to relax and play this festive season.

The education department of the arts venue worked with artist Amelia Pimlott. They collaborated with The Autism Group, Achieving for Children, Care for Calais and local schools Wessex Primary School, Furze Platt and Cookham Dean Primary School.

They created a magical Gallery space bringing the story of Pinocchio to life with shadow puppets and animations.  

What is Pinocchio at Norden Farm?

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.

When is the show being performed 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. 

The arts centre says the show 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 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.

More details are available by contacting the arts centre’s box office.

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