We all know Pinocchio was naughty - that amazing growing nose was the proof. But the Pinocchio scampering about the Open Air Theatre is almost shockingly impish. He is a self-styled "clever-clogs smarty-pants" who calls his father Geppetto "wiggy-bum" and denounces his fairy guardian as a "boring old witch". Even when a bout of particularly fruity fibbing causes his nose to sprout into an 18 inch baguette, he is more interested in nibbling the crust than expressing remorse. Such flagrant misbehaving not only thrills all the children in the audience but instils in them the spirit of mischief: there is a lot of audience participation, and most of it contradicts the actors' expectations.
It is testament to Dale Superville's charming exuberance as the jelly-limbed puppet that not even a heavy shower could distract his captivated young viewers. His performance is certainly the great strength of Unicorn theatre company's imperfect production. Much of the problem lies in Michael Rosen's spry adaptation of the Italian fairy tale, which is - like its little wooden hero - a little too fond of its own wit and playfulness. There are some fine passages of clowning, a puppet-show is cleverly incorporated, and the songs are fun, but a good quarter of the two-hour running time is padded with reiterated gags.
There is little in the way of visual invention: Sophia Lovell Smith's set converts easily enough into Geppetto's little home, a stage for a puppet show and a Gypsy's caravan, but it isn't until a wave shifts in a wink to create shark's teeth that you feel theatrical magic is being created. Then again, most of the crowd think fart jokes offer unsurpassable entertainment. The wonderful thing about Unicorn is how stealthily it broadens these horizons.
In rep until September 1. Box office: 020-7486 2431.
