Heartwarming- and that’s no lie

Shakespeare’s Globe

Written by Charlie Josephine (book and lyrics) and Jim Fortune (music and lyrics), The Globe’s Christmas show melted the hearts of the critics. The creation of the little wooden child impressed, as did the story of what makes us human.

5 stars ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

Aliya Al-Hussain of WhatsOnStage found: ‘Josephine’s funny and touching script edits Collodi’s tale down to a comprehensive yet snappy show, just short enough to keep the kids engaged, but with plenty for everyone to enjoy.’ She concluded: ‘Pinocchio is an uplifting, witty and beautifully realised production. A perfect family show for any time of year… and that is no lie.’

Christiana Rose for BroadwayWorld loved it: ‘Directed with clarity and imagination by Sean Holmes Pinocchio feels both familiar and refreshingly new, touching visually spectacular and musically rich. Above all it is a celebration of love, resilience and the many forms family can take. This is a special production crafted with immense care and creativity, offering a truly magical festive experience for audiences young and old.’

4 stars ⭑⭑⭑⭑

Claire Allfree of the Telegraph declared: ‘this full-scale musical adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s unsettling 19th-century parable about an insubordinate boy puppet is an absolute treat and, amid the annual slosh of panto and exhausted West End festive musicals, one of the best family shows around.’

The Independent’s Alice Saville agreed: ‘The playwright Charlie Josephine has adapted Carlo Collodi’s strange, sanctimonious 1883 novel into a quaintly rustic musical that feels a million miles away from both Disney’s version and from anything else you’ll see on stage right now. It uses this story of a wooden puppet to explore what it means to be human, and to be loved – and ends up pulling the heartstrings of everyone in the audience.’

Dave Fargnoli at The Stage enjoyed it: ‘Director Sean Holmes sets a brisk pace, keeping the energy high and the tone light while introducing some unsettling themes and, at times, a plausible sense of danger – the irrepressible Pinocchio is stalked, swindled and set on fire – but always bounces back. Designed by Peter O’Rourke, the puppet protagonist is a charming, spindly-limbed creation, articulated Bunraku-style by a busy cluster of puppeteers.’

Lucinda Everett at The Guardian explained the secret of its success: ‘the puppet’s journey to boyhood isn’t just about learning what makes us good, but what makes us human. His scrapes along the way are born not out of wickedness but curiosity and impulsive energy – perfectly captured by the three puppeteers animating Peter O’Rourke’s simple wooden design (including Lee Braithwaite, who gives Pinocchio a voice wild and wonder-filled), and by Josephine’s book’.

Martin Robinson at The Standard had reservations about the plot (‘patchy’) and the songs (‘rarely stir the soul’) but: ‘in the end, this show is for the children, and the gaggle accompanying the Standard absolutely loved the puppet, loved screaming at the Coachman and laughed throughout. Did they learn anything? No. Which made it even better, as far as they were concerned. A solid four stars from the little people.’

3 stars ⭑⭑⭑

Theo Bosanquet of London Theatre said: ‘It helps that Globe associate director Sean Holmes’s production has an irresistible homespun charm, augmented by Grace Smart’s clever and colourful toy theatre-esque design. It’s just so wonderfully real, unlike the poor titular character himself, who nevertheless proves the standout, skilfully handled by three puppeteers’.

Critics’ average rating 4.1⭑

Pinocchio can be seen at Shakespeare’s Globe until 4 January 2026. Buy tickets directly from the theatre.

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