Cast announced for Shakespeare’s Globe Pinocchio musical return this Christmas
Shakespeare’s Globe has revealed the cast and creative team for the return of its Pinocchio musical, originally premiered in November 2025. The revival features Olivier nominee Amy Booth-Steel among new cast additions and continues the venue’s focus on festive productions.
Shakespeare’s Globe will reopen its Pinocchio musical this Christmas, with performances starting on 28 November. The production originally premiered at the Globe in November 2025 and is returning with a largely refreshed cast.
Lee Braithwaite returns as Pinocchio, complemented by Kerry Frampton as Fox and Ed Gaughan as Franzini. New cast members include Olivier Award nominee Amy Booth-Steel taking on Giacomo Cricket, the Coachman, and Cat, alongside Luke Brady as Carpenter and Rabbit Prince Charming, and Gabrielle Brooks as the Blue Fairy.
The creative team is led by the Globe’s associate artistic director Sean Holmes, who also directs the show. The musical is based on Carlo Collodi’s stories, with a book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine and music and lyrics by Jim Fortune.
Other members of the creative team include associate director Roberta Zuric, choreographer Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu, designer Grace Smart, and puppetry director and designer Peter O’Rourke. Orchestrator Zac Gvi and sound designer Tony Gayle complete the group behind the production.
The original run received positive notices, with WhatsOnStage describing the show as full of “humour, heart and honesty.” Holmes remarked on the production’s return, highlighting its appeal to a new audience during the festive season.
Charlie Josephine, who wrote the book and lyrics, has previously worked on Cowbois for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal Court Theatre. Jim Fortune is known for composing music for Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear.
Puppetry remains central to the production, with new puppeteer Bartolomeo Bartolini joining returning artists Aya Nakamura and Andrea Sadler. Holmes previously directed Romeo and Juliet at the Globe in 2025, indicating ongoing creative collaborations at the venue.
