Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsals for PINOCCHIO at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre

A new production of the classic tale of Pinocchio which opens at the Stephen Joseph Theatre next week will be 'joyous, magical fun for all the family', promises its director.

The family show about a wooden puppet and his adventures as he strives to become a real boy can be seen at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre from 8 to 31 December, and is the first show at the theatre to be directed by new Artistic Director, Paul Robinson.

Paul says "We're throwing everything we have at Pinocchio - it'll be joyous, colourful, magical fun for all the family, with lots of catchy tunes, audience interaction and plenty of local jokes which author Nick Lane has written specially for us."

Nick Lane says: "I'm thrilled to be writing a show for the audiences of Scarborough - it's as delightfully daft as the original story but with a few bonkers surprises."

The show stars Joseph Hardy in the title role, while other cast members Pérola Congo, Anne-Marie Piazza, and Elliott Rennie play nearly 30 different roles between them. All four actors are also musicians, and play live music on stage.

Pinocchio features new music by Simon Slater, who hails originally from Scarborough. Simon was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2013 for his sound design on Constellations in the West End; most recently, he was Musical Director on the National Theatre's lauded production of Amadeus.

the show's designer is Tim Meacock, with lighting design by Paul Stear and choreography by Erin Carter.

Pinocchio can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre from 7 to 31 December, with performances at 10am on 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16 December; 1pm on 13 December; 2.30pm on 10, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 December; 5.30pm on 17 December; and 7pm on 9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29 December.

The performance on Tuesday 13 December at 1pm is relaxed; on Wednesday 21 December at 2.30pm, signed; on Thursday 29 December at 7pm, open captioned; and on Friday 30 December at 2.30pm, audio described.

Tickets cost from £9 to £16, and are available from the box office on 01723 370541 or via the website: www.sjt.uk.com.

Photos by Tony Bartholomew/Turnstone Media

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