Above The Stag Theatre – until 11 January 2020
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
Pantos are so much better when you don’t have to shoehorn in Baby bloody Shark for the toddlers in the house, and Above The Stag’s offering this year is glorious.
Puppet-maker Geppetta (Matthew Baldwin), her niece Cornetta (Christy Bellis) and Chianti the cat (Briony Rawle) have had to flee Rome after an unfortunate incident with one of the Pope’s favourite paintings and have settled in the sleepy town of Placenta. Lusted after by boatman Pedro (Shane Barragan), penniless and bored, Geppetta is told to wish upon a star to make her dreams come true by Fatima the fairy (Dami Olukoya). But when her wish comes true and her puppet Pinocchio (Jared Thompson) springs to life, he calls her Momma! The town is ruled by the dastardly Figaro Fox (Christopher Lane) – mayor, landlord and football manager, with his eye on Pinocchio too. Actually, Figaro has his eye on anything with a penis, as you would expect from someone whose motto is Carpe Phallus, and footballer Joe (Oli Dickson) is on his radar as well.
Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper have written a brilliant mixture of filth and fairy tale, full of running jokes that never lose their appeal, corny songs, audience interaction/abuse and the traditional singalong – a fantastic ode to pasta. The rustic locals moving scenery with a flourish of their tambourines are just one of the sweetly knowing touches that make the show irresistible. Obviously, this being The Stag, it’s not Pinocchio’s nose that grows when he tells a lie, but the fact that he can’t whistle and must summon Fatima with a fart appeals to the inner child in everyone.
Matthew Baldwin is one of the best dames out there, and is on brilliant form as Geppetta, owning the audience with his first lines. Christopher Lane is hissingly odious as Figaro, and Jared Thompson is a sweet hero. The whole cast is wonderful, with immaculate comic timing and a dynamic sense of fun and joy.
Pinocchio: No Strings Attached! is the perfect panto for not-so-grownups to let loose and enjoy some filthy festive fun – just brilliant.