By Grace Hatchell
The world’s most famous puppet is returning to Newbury! The Watermill Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its Christmas production of Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio, back by popular demand after its 2024 run.
I’m rather fond of a Christmas show that offers more than a pretty tree and a chorus of “isn’t this magical?” Pinocchio promises household objects turned into puppets, songs in all sorts of styles and, according to co-directors Indiana Lown-Collins and Elle While, actual magic. Actual magic! I may need to check the small print before believing that one, but I’m delighted they’ve put it on the table.
Jax Guerrero will play Pinocchio, with Christopher Bianchi returning as Geppetto. Fred Double is back as Cricket, Eddy Payne as Cat and Jacoba Williams as Carabiniere. They’re joined by James Hall as the onstage musical director, Megan Keaveny as the Good Fairy and onstage swing, and Polly Lister as Signora Geppetto and Fox.
That is quite a collection of characters to meet on one wooden boy’s journey. I’m particularly intrigued by Cat and Fox. In my experience, when those two appear together, it’s wise to keep hold of your purse and listen very carefully to Cricket.
Adapted by Simon Reade, with music and lyrics by Chris Larner, this version of Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio celebrates the messy business of growing up: making mistakes, learning from them and discovering the strength of unconditional love. It played to packed audiences in 2024 and was named among The Guardian’s top 10 theatre shows of that year.
Lown-Collins and While return to co-direct, alongside set and costume designer Yoav Segal and puppet designer and maker Marc Parrett. The creative team also includes lighting designer Jonathan Chan, sound designer Ella Wahlström, movement director Asha Jennings-Grant, musical supervisor Simon David and illusion designer John Bulleid. Brett Kasza is assistant lighting designer, and casting is by Cydney Beech.
There’s a sizeable team making the magic happen throughout the run, too: company stage manager Cat Pewsey, deputy stage manager Fern Bamber, assistant stage managers Katie Crump and Sam Fuller, and sound number one Rob Summers. As a woman who has spent plenty of time getting things from one place to another, I appreciate the people who make sure a show arrives exactly where it needs to be.
The co-directors say audiences can expect to “laugh, dance and be amazed”. They’re especially excited to bring back a production that celebrates the craft of theatre, with its cast bringing many different characters to life. Give me an inventive puppet, a room full of people willing to believe in it and a story with a big heart, and I’ll happily take my seat.
Now, if anyone needs me, I’ll be inspecting the household objects for signs of life. One can never be too careful at Christmas.
Michael Morpurgo’s Pinocchio runs at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, from Wednesday 25 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are available at watermill.org.uk or from the box office on 01635 46044.
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