Review: Pinocchio at the Mac
By Tara McLaughlin
This year sees a host of Christmas shows across Northern Ireland but this family musical must be seen to be believed.
The MAC is a fitting festive home to this child friendly extravaganza. The theatre boasts a cosy, homely feel and an abundance of Christmas displays that the kids will find truly magical. From the twinkling Wishing Wood to the family room, Christmas window and a towering quirky Christmas tree, they will be enchanted by the MAC’s merry magic.
One of the highlights is the chance for children to post their Christmas wishes into the magical wishing well in a winter wonderland complete with trees and snowflake sound effects. In partnership with Phoenix natural gas, the MAC are granting one wish to the value of £1500 to a child in Northern Ireland. One lucky winner will be chosen in January and granted their heart’s desire, just like Pinocchio. The competition has already prompted some quirky responses. Children in Northern Ireland are evidently creative, current affairs literate and compassionate. ‘Raining candy, daddy to get the job and Obama to remain President’ are just some of the thousands of wishes already received.
The show itself is a treat for all the family. With an intriguing stage set drawing the audience in from the beginning. The opening scene features a globe backdrop with an axe wedged in a piece of driftwood taking centre stage, an interesting opener.
Santa sleigh bells and Carol singers signal the start of the show but their message is not one of Christmas cheer. The play addresses some very grave themes but in an enchanting, magical way that children can relate to, designed to teach them a few truths about life while still preserving their innocence.
Northern Ireland actor Sean Kearns is a fitting Rocombollo. The Billy Elliot, Commitments and Children of the North star aptly plays the baddie with a foreboding persona committing Pinocchio to his travelling magic show and condemning him to a life in captivity. His character is a menacing magician but his enchanting tricks are a sight to behold. The audience were left pondering the method behind the magic on many occasions with an impressive, professional array of props and some seriously top class magic.
As casting goes, Devon based actor Max Ambrose slips into the role of the wooden puppet with an ultimate wish of becoming a real boy perfectly. He has a string of theatre credits under his belt with the diverse range including Scorpius Malfoy in Harry Potter and Timon in the Lion King.
Pinocchio is expertly carved from his skilled carpenter father old Geppetto and enters the world as an innocent, vulnerable child full of wonder at the new life that surrounds him. He resembles a lively puppy needing trained marvelling at all that is new. By the end of the play he has faced adversity and many of life’s challenges but emerges stronger and reserving his optimistic take on life, much to Old Geppetto’s delight.
Pinocchio at the MAC is a delightful family show, incorporating everything children want in a Christmas spectacle. The audience are treated to countless enchanting songs, dance routines grace every scene with an impressive tap display from the star of the show, magic tricks, the conventional baddie vs goodie and some great audience interaction. Paul Bosco McEneaney’s adaptation of this classic Disney tale is a real festive treat. Kids and parents alike come away with a light heart full of the Christmas spirit and some lessons for life.