Pinocchio sticks his nose in at the Pavilion

* Pinocchio played by Sophie Siddall, Prosecco, 

the pantomime dame is 

David Lyne and Geppetto is Neil Barrett.

The story of Pinocchio, the tale of a little boy whose nose stretches when he lies, will open in Llangollen tomorrow (Thursday) evening.

Pinocchio, complete with an extending nose, is the annual production from the Llangollen Pantomime Group featuring a cast and crew of almost 40 local people.

Doors open for the five performances on Thursday at Llangollen Pavilion.

The production, based on the nineteenth century Italian book The Adventures of Pinocchio and the 1940s Disney film has been adapted for the Llangollen stage by the show’s director, Justine Bradey.  

It is the second show she has directed and this time she is working with assistant director, Samantha Fletcher. 

Justine said: “We are very excited to be putting on Pinocchio. It’s not a traditional pantomime but we have lots of great characters who will keep the audiences entertained.  

"In our show Pinocchio lives with his puppet-maker father, Geppetto in the town of Lambrusco.  His father’s housemaid Prosecco becomes the traditional Dame character.  

“Pinocchio is a cheeky, wayward young boy who wants to join the circus.  He comes unstuck when he meets Mr Stromboli, the circus master, our show’s baddie.

“It’s a fun packed show with plenty of traditional Pantomime jokes, silliness, slapstick comedy live music and audience interaction.”

Pinocchio is played by 11-year-old Sophie Siddall, who’s in year seven at Ysgol Dinas Bran.  

Local picture-frqmer David Lyne returns as the Pantomime Dame, Prosecco the housemaid and there’s a Welsh character, Jim-the-cricket, played by 16-year-old Harvey Barrett, who is in year eleven at Dinas Bran.

The songs in the show, accompanied by a seven-piece live band, includes Wake up Boo by the Boo Radleys, Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5 and Shuddap you Face by Joe Dolce.

Over the years, Llangollen Pantomime Group has donated a portion of its takings to local charities.  Last year it donated £750 to the Alzheimer’s Society and £250 to the Llangollen Christmas Day lunch, organised by Mike Connolly.

Llangollen Pantomime Group was started by St Collen’s Church more than 30 years ago.  Today it draws cast and crew from across the town. 

Llangollen Pantomime has evening performances until Saturday and matinees on Saturday and Sunday January 18 and 19.  The show lasts just over two hours. 

* Tickets are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenpanto or in person from Gwyn Davies Butchers, Jade Hair & Beauty, Dee Valley Produce or by calling 01978 860297.