The new musical, with a book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine, will premiere at the Globe Theatre from November and run through the festive period until early next year.
Lee Braithwaite, Michael Elcock, Nick Holder and Steven Webb. Headshots provided by production.
Sean Holmes will direct Pinocchio, featuring music and lyrics by Jim Fortune.
The cast comprises Lee Braithwaite (The Other Place, National Theatre) as Pinocchio, Michael Elcock (Romeo and Juliet, Globe) as Carpenter / Rabbit Prince Charming, Kerry Frampton (Rough Magic, Globe) as Fox, Ed Gaughan (A Winter’s Tale, Globe) as Stromboli, Nick Holder (London Road, National Theatre) as Geppetto, Lucy McCormick (Troilus and Cressida, Globe) as Blue Fairy / Cat, and Steven Webb (Shucked, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre) as Jiminy Cricket / Coachman.
Jennifer Caldwell, Jamal Franklin, Lizzy Ives, Kody Mortimer complete the cast as Ensemble / Swing, and Stan Middleton, Aya Nakamura and Andrea Sadler join the company as Puppeteers.
Inspired by the children’s book by Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio follows a wooden puppet brought to life by woodcarver and restless wanderer Geppetto. Together, Pinocchio and Geppetto embark on a series of adventures, encountering many weird and wonderful characters, and learning about freedom and family, and the true meaning of what makes you human.
Whilst taking a trip to see Pinocchio, people can enjoy a new Pinocchio-themed afternoon tea at Swan at the Globe. It runs from 3 September until early 2026.
Pinocchio plays at the Shakespeare Globe from 29 November until 4 January 2026.
