
Join two artists on a fantastical journey through a real-life story as they make a new trans version of Pinocchio.
Set in a film studio crafted from real wood, and fake wood, and real fake wood, you are invited to go behind the scenes of Cade & MacAskill’s creative process and their relationship, and question what it takes to tell your truth.
Artists and lovers Rosana Cade and Ivor MacAskill have been creating The Making of Pinocchio since 2018, alongside and in response to Ivor’s gender transition. In this theatrical and cinematic spectacular, their tender and complex autobiographical experience meets the magical story of the little lying puppet who wants to be a ‘real boy’.
With a rich scenography designed by Tim Spooner, layered with sound by Yas Clarke, lights by Jo Palmer and cinematography from Kirstin McMahon, the show constantly shifts between fantasy and authenticity, the playful and the political, humour and intimacy, on stage and on screen.
The Making of Pinocchio joyfully embraces the importance of imagination in queer worldmaking and the idea of transness as a state of possibility that can trouble fixed perspectives and inspire change.
★★★★ ‘The wondrous trans tale of Pinocchio… A funny, clever and thoughtful two-hander, rich in playful imagery and direct-to-camera asides, about identity, definition and acceptance… The satire is gentle, but the politics are clear.’
The Guardian
★★★★ ‘The Making of Pinocchio is clever and absorbing, full of reflection and self-revelation, powerful visual imagery and movement.’
The Scotsman
‘It was so beautiful, and such deft balancing of things for trans audiences and things for cis ones. Also, I never cry with joy at things but I did at the ending of it, and I’m crying now thinking about it… it was just so beautiful… a very joyful watch… and such deft balancing of things for trans audiences and things for cis ones… it’s so rare.’
Audience response
The Making of Pinocchio is also available to tour digital. Find out more about the The Making of Pinocchio: Digital Edition.
Events
Date | Location | More info |
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The Making of Pinocchio 29 June – 2 July 2022 Various times |
Battersea Arts Centre, as part of LIFT 2022, London, UK | Details and tickets |
The Making of Pinocchio 12–16 October 2022 |
Fierce Festival, Birmingham, UK | Details and tickets |
The Making of Pinocchio 19–20 October 2022 |
Attenborough Centre of the Arts, Brighton, UK | Details and tickets |
The Making of Pinocchio 27–28 October 2022 |
Tramway, Glasgow, UK | Details and tickets |
The Making of Pinocchio 12–13 November 2022 |
Alkantara Festival, Lisbon, Portugal | Details and tickets |
For more information on this project, please contact Mary Osborn at mary@artsadmin.co.uk
Date | Title | Venue | City |
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12–14 May 2022 | The Making of Pinocchio | Kampnagel | Hamburg |
4 March 2022 | The Making of Pinocchio: Digital Edition | Warehouse9 | Copenhagen |
21 May 2021 | The Making of Pinocchio | Take Me Somewhere | |
18 March – 27 April 2021 | Guest Artist Support Sessions: Rosana Cade | ||
21–22 February 2015 | Walking: Holding | Home and Away - London, Maison Folie | Mons |