Review for Pinocchio at the Royal Court Theatre, Bacup.
Courtesy of The Rossendale Free Press. 

WHEN I say the leading lady was wooden, you may think I was being critical, but not when it comes to 13-year-old Alice Schofield.

Her role as Pinocchio was splendidly wooden and as such very realistic, and she demonstrated a confident singing voice as she cheerily sang Got No Strings and danced around the stage. I think this was one of the best pantomimes I have seen at Bacup and my sons loved it. I watched as they participated in booing the baddie and singing along.

The splendid Under the Sea ultra-violet routine with singing lobster and turtle and dancing crab had the lads entranced as they tried to work out how the fish managed to ‘fly’.

Geppetto Jim Rowe re-scripted to add a few one liners about the cast being removed from Tesco’s grounds last week while trying to promote the production, but he also pointed out that both Tesco and Asda had provided sweets for children in the audience.

And his rapport with Dame Edna-look-alike Kenneth Marshall as Mamma Scumpi was hilarious. The understudies who had to take on major roles at the last minute – Sophie Lord as Grazia and Julie Killick in place of Graham Helm as musical director – did so seamlessly.

Full marks to versatile Clare Round who not only directed the show but portrayed evil Maggot – a perfect foil for Dawn Rowe’s superb Fungus, not forgetting (boo.. hiss...) Stephen Woods who was chilling as Signor Verruca.

The sing-along songs of 500 Miles, Bibboty Bobboty Boo and Take That’s Shine enhanced the audience participation as did the cast coming out into the auditorium.

Special mention has to be made of the beautiful ballet performed by Danielle Radcliffe as the blue fairy.

The stranger danger message was reinforced.

Please continue to support the very valuable resouce we have at the Royal Court.

Catherine Smyth. 18th January 2008