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REVIEW Pinocchio Chichester Festival Theatre Until Saturday

Last year the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre premiered Anna Ledwich’s new adaptation of Pinocchio with music by Tom Brady, at the Festival Theatre. There was, however, a problem. That virus meant that the performances were pretty-much restricted to viewing from home on a computer screen; it was by this method that I reviewed the show last year – and still I loved it.

There is, of course, no way that live theatre can ever truly share its soul through a computer-screen, so it’s been revived for this year’s Christmas show, giving the public a chance to see it live.

This show is, in pretty much every way, beautiful – from its script and score to its direction and choreography and its wonderful set, dripping in pastel-shades, and the beautiful costumes.

Ledwich’s script is far removed from Disney, so don’t go with Disneyesque expectations; it is both stylised and stylish and does not talk down to its audience.

Dale Rooks and Bobby Brook’s direction does exactly what it needs to do and the movement from Amy Lawrence is busy and tight and a joy. nd then there’s the cast.

ave said before that, hen viewing the CFYT, ne needs to constantly mind oneself that u are watching both ateurs and children – because it’s easy to forget. It is ensemble theatre at its finest but there are, of course, some standout performances.

As Gepetto, Spencer Dixon is outstanding as is Lewis Rennison as our eponymous hero.

The finale – Let Us Be Us – carries the show’s principal message and may just have seduced a tear out of this old cynic’s eye. Sublime. Do yourself a favour. Go see it.