Pinocchia

Blue Apple’s first ever online play - the classic story of Pinocchio, retold for the digital age of 2020. Featuring theatre, dance, puppetry and film, and told with Blue Apple’s trademark wit and charm.

Watch the performance here

Programme

Director's Notes

What a year. What a challenging and difficult year in which our cast has had to learn new skills and draw on reserves of patience and goodwill like never before.

My mantra for 2020 has been ‘everything is different, but nothing has changed’ as we continued to find new ways to carry on doing what we did before; telling stories and giving our cast chance to step into the limelight.

Very early on in our process the cast and company decided to put the ‘classic’ tale of the wooden-puppet-boy to one side and to look at how technology shines a light on what it means to be human (our theme for winter ‘20 and summer ‘21). Tablets, PCs & smartphones saved so many from crushing isolation when the pandemic hit that it felt like they were the heroes of the day.

Blue Apple remains undaunted by pandemics; this year has made us more expansive even as our physical limitations shrunk. We have developed and strengthened international links and this piece will be seen by audiences in far flung places. It feels like we’ll never quite go back to normal - what we are learning through this and other digital projects will remain and enhance theatrical experiences for the future.

I’m so proud of how our cast have coped over the year which will soon be behind us. They deserve a decent Christmas and, as soon as possible, a vaccine as a present…a real shot in the arm for the coming year.

Richard Conlon, Blue Apple Artistic Director

Gallery

Trailer

Cast & Crew

Frank: Sam Dace

Verity: Ros Davies

Eva (voice): Katy Francis

Eva (moves): James Elsworthy

Allotment Holders

Kym Nash, Ali Sinclair-Wilson, Alice Peck, Paul Smith, Tom Hatchett, James Benfield, James Spencer, Neil White, Lucy Parrot, David Hunt, Anna Brisbane, Neil Bennet, Lawrie Morris, Tommy Jessop.

Frank’s Neighbours

Lucy Thomas, Daniel Austin, Joseph Guerrier, Jonny Ling, George Collingwood.

Frank’s Anxiety Dream

Andy Canning, Joseph Jeffrey, Helen Burns.

Volunteers: Michelle Pluck, Rachel Collins, Chris Pearce, Mary Richards, Clare Talks, Cat Randall, Sorcha Young, Sue Dashper, Henry Davies, Arthur Ferencei, Kai Marshall, Oscar Vogel, Harry Wilson, Henry Chipperfield.

‘Nature Boy’: Sung By Paul Smith, Danced by Tommy Jessop

The Creative Team

Art Direction and Eva Puppet: Polly Perry

Technical Creatives: Samuel Morley, Django Pinter

Video Technician: Carl Martin

Video Editing: Laura Walton

Music: Kate Mellors

Director - Richard Conlon
Photography - Mike Hall

Audience Reviews

“I thought the show was terrific. So imaginative, moving and brilliant how everyone was involved. I think technology is a really interesting new direction for Blue Apple and one that might take it to many new audiences. Maybe in a strange way, Covid 19 has done you a favour. If anyone hasn’t watched the show, I do urge you to do so. What a wonderful and life enhancing project it is.”

“Brilliant show, technically amazing, accessible, so well written with wonderful messages and everyone has a delightful cameo. This should be shown far and wide.”

“Amazing!!! My family and numerous friends have all thoroughly enjoyed it and commented how well you have all adapted to the online process. Very well done cast and to all those connected to making it happen so very successfully.”

“Great show!!! Enjoyed watching it live from across the pond in Casper, Wyoming!!”

“I enjoyed it immensely. My first performance. Very inventive and thought-provoking. That was tremendous. Very moving. I now recognise several of the actors. You are a brilliant company.
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