Newbury’s Watermill Theatre have announced details of their annual festive production for the whole family at their award-winning venue, Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio.

Morpurgo’s beloved children’s novel will be adapted for the stage by his long-time collaborator, Simon Reade.

Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio will be co-directed by Elle While and Indiana Lown-Collins. The musical adaptation, which will run at The Watermill from 15 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, will have music and lyrics by Chris Larner.

Lovingly carved in Geppetto’s workshop, Pinocchio’s parents dream of a bright future for their wooden son. Pinocchio, however, dreams of adventure and sets off on a path of fun and freedom ready to discover the world. Along the way, Pinocchio is confronted with big decisions and a menagerie of colourful characters, leading to calamitous consequences as he starts a fire, turns into a donkey, and even ends up inside a whale!

Michael Morpurgo said “At last, Pinocchio speaks for himself! About time too. And I’m so thrilled he’s doing it at the Watermill. Come see Pinocchio as he’d like to be seen. Simon Reade and I are rare amongst writers. Others have read Pinocchio, the Collodi version of his life, or seen the movie. We’ve met him! Come see the show and you can meet him too!”

Casting and the full creative team will be announced later this year.

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