Physical Theatre Review: Alice Welby
A complete feast for the senses, Pinocchio takes us through his own fantasy of pleasures in a tale of desperation and love lost in the search to become a real boy.
The curtain opens on a larger-than-life fairground master, booming introductions to all the characters as he sets the scene. His confident rhymes throughout the show bring the audience back to the storyline and are perfectly complimented by the soft voice and operatic singing of a second, female narrator.
Company XIV make their inspiration apparent from the start, with elaborate costumes and gestures true to the style of Italian director Federico Fellini. The ensemble’s neo-baroque style fuses classical ballet, burlesque and contemporary dance whilst still retaining a solid storyline – appealing to both dance lovers and theatre goers alike.
Red cords hanging from the ceiling are attached to our protagonist, making his staccato movements convincingly puppet-like as he’s made to perform for spectators. In contrast, the scantily-clad characters of Pleasure Island command attention with fluid movements and evocative choreography. If you’re not bothered by a bit of nudity – all in the name of art – this beautiful, sexy revival of the classic story really has to be seen.
