Pinocchio
Jonathan Dove and Alasdair Middleton
(2007)

5* The Guardian 

5* The Times 

5* Sunday Telegraph

Opera North's spectacular production makes a triumphant return to entertain a new generation of opera-goers, after its overwhelming success when it premiered three years ago and we've got loads to tell you about it, including video, music clips, a kids storybook, cast interviews, reviews (below), and a gallery full of initial designs and production shots (below, right).

Created by talented duo, Jonathan Dove and librettist, Alasdair Middleton, it is based on the original 1883 book by Carlo Collodi.

Enter a fairytale world full of colourful characters, and join Pinocchio on his quest to become a real boy. Guided by the Blue Fairy and chirruping Cricket, Pinocchio still can’t help tumbling nose first into trouble: he’s tricked by the sly Fox and clever Cat, his lying nose is pecked by woodpeckers, he’s captured in the Big Green Fisherman’s net and is even turned into a performing donkey. Spellbinding music, memorable songs and a magical set shape this fantastical production, which captures all the inventiveness and charm of the original creation.

Bringing this irresistible story to life is most of the original cast and creative team. Including the mezzo-soprano Victoria Simmonds (Dorabella, Così fan tutte 2009/10), as Pinocchio, soprano Mary Plazas, singing The Blue Fairy and the renowned baritone, Jonathan Summers, as Geppetto, Pinocchio's Father.    

Sung in English
Age 7+
Last approximately 2 hours 45 minutes
A co-production with Chemnitz Opera

What are you most looking forward to about your return to this production of The Adventures of Pinocchio?
There was such a lovely atmosphere during the rehearsals and tour last time we did it, so I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone in the team, and of course being pinocchio again. It's a really great show.

Are there any new challenges involved for you this time around?
There's some new staging to remember, but apart from that it's just as challenging as the last time.

What do you think are the highlights of the show?
That's a tough one - this show is full of highlights! Great costumes, great dancers, great set. I think my favourite scene is the ringmaster's song and dance routine because it's very vaudeville. The whale coming up is a great moment too.

Aside from Pinocchio, who is your favourite character in the piece and why?
There are too many to mention! My daughter really likes the cat and the fox, and the big green fisherman.

Why do you think people should come and see this production?
Because it's a show that everyone will enjoy, young or old. It's got so much packed into it - visually as well as musically - that you're constantly entertained.


 

“Tidings of great joy: a Christmas miracle in Leeds! A modern composer has produced a new opera that is funny, poignant, tuneful, spectacular – and, best of all, stunningly conceived for all the family. To find an opera house full of eight-year-olds, held spellbound throughout a show lasting nearly three hours, is rare enough. To find that discerning adults - and yes, even grizzled old critics – are also grinning from ear to ear at the final curtain is pretty well unprecedented. This must be Jonathon Dove’s finest hour…with the help of a delightfully droll libretto from his long-time collaborator, Alasdair Middleton, he has turned Carlo Collodi’s classic fairytale into a surreal wonderland of music-theatre that leaves an indelible impression.”
Richard Morrison, The Times *****

“The Adventures of Pinocchio pulls off the elusive feat of pleasing everyone by pandering to no-one – it’s almost overabundant with visual delights. When I ask seven-year-old Jack Richardson from Bradford to nominate his single favourite moment he responds without hesitation: ‘I liked when the Cricket got squished!’”
Alfred Hickling, The Guardian *****

“Dove’s rich score brings out the deeper, almost mythic, meaning of the story, and the music, words and staging add up to a darkly surreal and rich operatic experience…Opera North has spared nothing in giving Pinocchio a lavish staging. Martin Duncan’s lively production looks fabulous in Francis O’Connor’s imaginative sets and costumes.”
John Allison, Sunday Telegraph *****

Act 1

Based on Carlo Collodi's original book, this opera tells the story of a puppet who longs to be a real boy. Against his father, Geppetto's wishes, Pinocchio lies and plays truant from school. His silly antics and search for adventure lands him in all sorts of trouble. From a near-death experience with a Fire-Eater, to being tricked by the sly Fox and clever Cat. And his lying nose is pecked by woodpeckers.

Meanwhile, Geppetto, worried about what has happened to Pinocchio, has set sail around the world to find him. On hearing this news, Pinocchio climbs on to the back of a Pigeon and they fly off to sea to find him. Geppetto is old now and his dilapidated boat has been tipped over by a huge wave; Pinocchio dives in to save him, but gets washed ashore alone in Drudgeland.

Act 2

Pinocchio has still not learnt his lesson. He doesn’t want to work, so he ends up begging for money in Drudgeland, until a lady offers food in return for helping her. She is the Blue Fairy and Pinocchio begs her to tell him how to grow into a real boy. She says he must learn, so he goes to school where he makes friends with Lampwick.

Lampwick is a bad influence on Pinocchio and it isn't long before they skip school to see a Monster Fish and Pinocchio is captured in the Big Green Fisherman’s net. Next the pair go to Funland, where there are parties every day. But it isn't as fun as they had thought, especially when they are turned into performing donkeys and Pinocchio is forced to join the circus. A cruel Drum Maker throws him in the sea so he can drown, but the Blue Fairy sends a little fish to set Pinocchio free.

No sooner has Pinocchio swum away than he is swallowed by the Monster Fish. Inside is also Geppetto who was swallowed up too. Pinocchio is overjoyed and when the sleeping fish opens its mouth to snore, he pulls Geppetto to safety and they swim free.

The pair make it to dry land but Geppetto is ill and Pinocchio sets to work to earn some milk and money. Geppetto starts to get better but then they hear that the Blue Fairy is terribly ill. Pinocchio offers all that he has to buy her medicine and food and she suddenly appears in a blaze of blue light. ‘Now you can grow. You love. You feel. Now you are real’, she tells him. Pinocchio has finally earned the right to become a real boy and is transformed.

• Listen to an excerpt from The Adventures of Pinocchio, Once upon a time, there was a log, Opera North LTD

  (Approximately 50 Seconds)

• The ape-judge scene