A recent uproar was sparked when a comment was publicly made by a member of the British National Party, about Chickenshed theatre company using a black actor to play the character Pinocchio in this years Christmas production. This comment left me asking the question is this just prejudice racism? Or does the colour of Pinocchio’s skin affect the show s performance?


Putting my own views and thoughts on the matter to one side, I tried to see why people would think any different to my own views. The one conclusion that I came to was people don’t like to see something they already know interpreted differently. I believe in some peoples cases, that they have seen a version of Pinocchio, for example Walt Disney’s and believe that every Pinocchio should be interpreted exactly the same.

However my opinion on the matter, is that having a black Pinocchio instead of a white Pinocchio does not affect the performance in any way. I believe the performance quality is due to the actor and not the colour of the actors skin. Chickenshed interpretation of the story is different to Walt Disney’s as well as the colour of the puppet, yet why did this not spark a debate? Leading me to the conclusion, in my opinion, that the issue of Pinocchio being played by a black actor instead of the traditional white actor was a truly racist and prejudice way in thinking.

Its Sunday the sixth of December seven twenty five pm, palms are sweating, hearts are racing. It was five minutes before the dress run of our Christmas show Pinocchio. Back stage was manic, people where pacing with nerves, children running round with excitement, teachers getting stressed and trying to calm down over excited children and teenagers.

Finally we hear the all so familiar bing bing bong of the over head announcer, we get the call we had all been waiting for, beginners. A sudden silence sweeps the room. Interrupted by the voice informing us to make sure we have all our group together and to check that we all have the correct costume on. A burst of energy renters the room as people rush to find their group. Once everyone is assembled in their groups with correct costume, which for our group is rolled up skinny jeans, with white socks, tucked in white polo shirt, brown waste coat and a neck chief. Our costume and style of our character group based on the eighties pop group Madness. Once costumes have been checked, we start to head down to our starting positions back stage. Waiting quietly backstage we anxiously wait for our queue from the band, so we can enter and perform what we had been rehearsing for a month prier the show. All standing alert we hear our queue. We burst onto stage ready to perform our part of the story for the Christmas show Pinocchio.

Don’t miss out this Christmas!

Come see our most amazing Christmas show yet. PINOCCHIO is this years Chickenshed production. Pinocchio is running from December 9th through till January 16th at Chickenshed theatre Southgate.

A fun filled family show, packed with signing puppets, a mechanical donkey, hop spinning blue fairies, a giant bouncing grasshopper, cheeky robbers plus lots more.

Pinocchio has something for every one this Christmas. An action packed family show that will keep the whole family entertained. Follow an acrobatic Pinocchio on his journey from a naughty puppet to real boy. Meet the strange and magical characters he bumps into along the way, and see the mischief and adventures Pinocchio gets himself into.

Celebrate this Christmas at Chickenshed a unique and pioneering inclusive company. In this years performance of Pinocchio Chickenshed has incorporated BSL, for our deaf audience. Captioned performance will also be available on selected dates call our box office for further details.

Facilities include disabled access and toilets, a bar serving food and drinks before during and after the show.

Chickenshed theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, London, N14 4PE
Box office: 0208 292 9222
Email bookings: Chickenshed.org.uk
Text phone: 18001 0208 292