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Alfie Ayling as Geppetto and Archie Elliot as Pinocchio. Photo by Manuel Harlan
But the wonderful interpretation of the story of the puppet that comes to life without the need of strings technically just about achieves that.
Of course, Director Dale Rooks isn’t merely a genius. She is a legend. She, more than anyone else, has taken Chichester’s youth theatre to the greatest heights – and consistently so. How many young lives has she transformed? How many children has she inspired to love the arts? How many fledgling careers has she launched?
This is not the biggest nor the most fancy gig under her tenure – but just like the transformation of a piece of wood into the living, breathing mischievous puppet whose nose always lengthens when he tells a lie, this is a miracle none the less.
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Pinocchio - photo by Manuel Harlan
With all the skills and confidence they gain, members of Chichester Festival Youth Theatre move on to a huge range of fantastic careers.
But whatever achievements lie ahead for the current company, they will always look back on Pinocchio 2020 as one of the greatest and most significant nights of their lives.
There’s a moment where two key characters should embrace. They don’t, of course, and the moment is incredibly touching.
But they find a way in a simple gesture which reminds us just how unbelievably awful 2020 has been, but just as importantly a gesture which reminds us just how strong the human spirit is and just how brightly hope can still burn.