We all know the children’s tale about a lonely man who wants to be a father and so creates a wooden puppet which inexplicably comes to life and sets out to become a real boy. Indefinite Article Theatre have adapted this much-loved story with a beautifully low-tech, inventive production which impresses with its simplicity.
With just a live flute player and a simple set that is essentially a work bench covered in tools, performer Steve Tiplady creates an imaginative world where clothes pegs symbolise talking crickets, shadow puppet metal clamps are the mouths of whales, an upsides-side down hat rack represents a tree and two brushes represent a fox. These inventive touches are a joy to watch and the children in the audience certainly seem entranced by the tale.
Tiplady, when playing Geppetto, also speaks to the children in the audience and encourages them to shout out answers to his questions such as how to get Pinocchio off to sleep. He has a wonderful way with the children and soon has even the shyest child eager to be involved.
While there is much to admire it does seem a strange choice that Pinocchio himself is a rather unpleasant character, so best remove any nostalgia for the sweet and innocent puppet of Disney. In this production he is played as a boisterous, badly behaved character who is hard to sympathise with.
This is a simple re-telling yet a joy to watch, creating an epic adventure using everyday items found around the house and it delights with its uniqueness.
4/5 
Martin Miller
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