Pinocchio promises to be highlight of festival

Children’s festival boing! promises to live up to expectations this year, with a world premiere adaptation of Pinocchio.

Following 2015’s success, the two-day event staged by Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre offers a packed programme this month.

According to promoters, one of the undoubted highlights will be the premiere of Pinocchio by Jasmin Vardimon Company.

Described as a massive coup for the city, this will be the show’s first viewing before it tours the UK and heads abroad.

Festival director Liz Moran tells how Pinocchio came about during a discussion with the Ashford dance company Jasmin Vardimon.

She said: “We are fortunate to have such an internationally renowned company based in Kent. Their work is highly innovative and of the highest quality and yet up until now Jasmin had not created any work with children and young people in mind.

“We discussed this and Pinocchio was born.

“This is very exciting as after boing! the show goes on a national tour to venues such as Sadler’s Wells.” Pinocchio is recommended for ages seven and above.

Performances are on Saturday August 27 and Sunday August 28, Tickets are £6 or £5 as part of the boing! discount package.

The boing! International Family Festival takes place in the last weekend of August at Gulbenkian on University of Kent’s campus.

Call 01227 769075 or visit www.thegulbenkian.co.uk.

Pinocchio by Jasmin Vardimon Company