Pinocchio

Pinocchio Pleases

Review by Olivia Stewart

Six months labours have gone into Ballet Theatre of Queensland’s Pinocchio and the preparation has paid off.

A full length ballet performed by young dancers is a challenging undertaking but artistic directors Chris Gillard and Louise Hellewell’s well-rehearsed charges comprise a disciplined and well-balanced company.

Seen initially on the Gold Coast, the production has now developed a greater unity in terms of group work and overall performance levels; when you think that there are 44 dancers aged between 12 and 18 on stage this is a particularly impressive accomplishment.

The story of Pinocchio, the mischievous boy puppet created by the old woodcarver Geppetto, is a familiar and simple one but it is packaged colourfully and with witty touches providing amusement for adult audience members, such as narrator (and Pinocchio’s conscience) James A. Cricket.

Played stylishly by Douglas Broad, James the Older provides some delightfully droll observations aimed over the little ones’ heads. Also a pleasure is the show’s other adult member, the experienced Trevor Green as Geppetto.

Max Hurley’s set and costumes make a striking visual impact, banishing any preconceptions of children’s or “amateur” production values. The underwater sequence is particularly evocative, featuring a huge eye-rolling fish, fluorescent sea creatures and beautifully lit green-gowned dancers representing an ever-changing sea.

Pinocchio’s leads are uniformly terrific, each bringing to their role exactly what is required; it will be interesting to watch the future progress of performers such as Madeline Rothwell, Rebecca Grennan, Rebecca Keating, Riannon McLean and Sarah Wharton.

Due to its expository nature, the first half is a bit slower than the second but the energy and the enthusiasm of Pinocchio’s performers doesn’t flag.

The Courier-Mail, 12 April 1996

Season 1996: Dedicated to the Memory of Jack Rodgers

Ballet Theatre of Queensland's 1996 season was dedicated to the memory of Jack Rodgers. He served on the Executive Committee in every major office including President and Chairman of Committees. But it was as stage manager, lighting designer and in technical direction that Jack Rodgers, the professional man of theatre, made his major contribution to establish the production standards which will remain his legacy to Ballet Theatre of Queensland.

Researcher and writer: Dr Christine Comans