Pinocchio

Pinocchio is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the children's novel The Adventures of Pinocchio (1883), by the Italian writer Carlo Collodi (1826-1890)[1].

The original story

Carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, he was created as a wooden puppet, but dreamed of becoming a real boy. He has also been used as a character who is prone to telling lies and fabricating stories for various reasons. The story has appeared in many adaptations in other mediums. Pinocchio has been called an icon of modern culture, and one of most reimagined characters in the pantheon of children's literature.[2].

Translations and adaptations

A script from Collodi's original story was written by Brian Way and Warren Jenkins.

An Afrikaans translation and adaptation was done by Angerie van Wyk circa 1994.

An Afrikaans adaptation for children called Brompot & Pinocchio ("Grumpy and Pinocchio") was written by At Strydom and performed by students at the At Strydom Drama Studio in 2005, directed by Strydom.

An adaptation by Alfred Rietmann in 1985.

Performance history in South Africa

1956: Produced to celebrate the tenth birthday of The Children's Theatre in 1956 in the Arena Theatre, presented by Clifford Williams. Also featuring Jacqueline St. Clere, Robert Wilson and Roger Spence.

1979: Produced by Children's Theatre Productions (formed by Joyce Levinsohn and Jill Girard), staged at the Alhambra Theatre, 9 to 28 July.

1985: Presented by Just Us Company in the Nico Malan Theatre Foyer, directed by Alfred Rietmann.

1987: Produced by Children's Theatre Productions (directed by Joyce Levinsohn and Jill Girard), staged at the Intimate Theatre.

1992: A Peoples Theatre production at the Intimate Theatre in 1992 featured Mark Richardson, Samantha Peo, Edward Baker-Duly, Jan Stoop, Simon Jones. The role of Pinocchio was shared by Colin Guerin and Rory Till.

circa1994: Performed in Afrikaans by the Drama Department at the University of Stellenbosch, translated and directed by Angerie van Wyk, with a cast that included Sofia , Lindie Stander Franci Swanepoel.

2005: Brompot & Pinocchio performed by students at the At Strydom Drama Studio, directed by At Strydom.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinocchio

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Collodi

Helikon, 6(23), 1956.

The Rand Daily Mail, 13 June 1979.

Sunday Star, 29 March 1992.

Greyvenstein, Walter 1988. The history and development of children's theatre in English in South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Johannesburg: Rand Afrikaans University.

Go to ESAT Bibliography