No strings! Pinocchio in Henley

Immersion Theatre return to Kenton Theatre this month with a new musical version of The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio. Peter Anderson finds out more.

Based on the fantastical children’s book, this magical story leaps off the page and on to the stage in this high-energy retelling of Pinocchio’s extraordinary adventures.

The show is packed with comedy, audience interaction, and a host of new songs guaranteed to have you singing along from start to finish.

The musical has been written by James Tobias and Robert Gathercole, who have combined to write many of Immersion’s successful productions. James says: “Having worked together so many times, Rob and I have developed a clear understanding of the style of show we enjoy creating: high-energy, pacy scripts with frustratingly catchy songs which serve to create a larger-than-life introduction to classic stories for youngsters which older generations can enjoy just as much. I adore all things family theatre so look forward to working on this wonderful story.”

Corey Jones is one of the actors in Pinocchio and Peter Anderson caught up with him recently to ask how he got the acting bug in the first place. By accident almost it would seem… “I was a musician firstly, saxophone being and then singing – being Welsh, it’s kind of a given that you’re in choirs! I then got dragged along to be in the local pantomime that my younger cousin was dancing in, as they needed more boys in the ensemble, and I never looked back.”

Pantomimes also feature in his memories of childhood visits to the theatre. Young Corey was mesmerised by school trip to see Beauty & The Beast at Cardiff’s New Theatre. Another early theatrical memory of his is of seeing The Lion King in London’s West End. Those childhood memories he has have inspired his work with Immersion, as their magic, storytelling and audience inclusivity remind him of those early theatre trips.

So, which actors have inspired him? “I’ve always been a big fan of actors such as Johnny Depp and Gary Oldman, and the works of Tim Burton which is why I like fairytale shows – there is usually a darker origin which interests me. Pinocchio has some really dark bits, but don’t worry we won’t scare the audience too much!”