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Pinokkio

Pinokkio

Like every child, Pinocchio begins as a blank slate – in her case, an untouched block of wood. But she has only just been given legs when she leaves her father Geppetto behind and immediately gets herself into all sorts of trouble.

Mrs Fox, Mr Cat and Mr Badger become her friends, and they have wonderful, infectious stories to tell. But can Pinocchio trust these friends? Again and again, she must choose: having fun and living a lazy life, or being sensible and working hard? Telling a beautiful story, or speaking the ugly truth?

Coming to theatres next season. Ticket sales start on 1 July.

About the creators and performers

Two-time winner of the Golden Griffel award, Simon van der Geest, writes the libretto. Oene van Geel (winner of the Boy Edgar Prize) composes the music. Joke Hoolboom directs the production together with Cat Smits.

The role of Pinocchio will be performed by Josje Eijkenboom. Alongside puppeteers Sanne van Dijkand and Lisa Kasman, and the remarkable musicians of New European Ensemble, we have Vera Fiselier, Niek Idelenburg and Joris van Baar – as a feline trio – representing the very best of vocal talent.

Song of Fox, Cat and Badger

Mrs Fox, Mr Cat and Mr Badger:

“Is it really true? Don’t be so dull!
Lie until everything becomes more fun, weave your lies together.
Lie freely and constantly,
until it suits your own ends.
Talk their ears off
with blah blah blah blah blah.
Just lie, lie, lie!”

Holland Opera in co-production with Cat Smits Company & New European Ensemble

CREDITS

Creation

Music – Oene van Geel
Libretto – Simon van der Geest
Direction – Joke Hoolboom
Puppets and Co-direction – Cat Smits
Set Design – Douwe Hibma
Costumes – Bregje van Balen
Education – Maris de Jong

Performance

Pinocchio – Josje Eijkenboom
Mrs Fox – Vera Fiselier
Mr Badger – Niek Idelenburg
Mr Cat – Joris van Baar
Puppetry – Sanne van Dijk & Lisa Kasman
Musicians – New European Ensemble

* Photos of puppets in progress

Pinokkio puppet 1
Pinokkio puppet 2
Pinokkio puppet 3

SPEELLIJST

19 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort (avant-premiere)
20 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort (premiere)
22 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
23 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
26 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
26 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
27 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
29 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
30 December 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
2 January 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort
3 January 2026 Veerensmederij | Amersfoort

10 January 2027 Stadsschouwburg | Groningen

17 January 2027 PLT Theater | Heerlen
18 January 2027 PLT Theater | Heerlen (school performance)
19 January 2027 PLT Theater | Heerlen (school performance)
20 January 2027 PLT Theater | Heerlen (school performance)

24 January 2027 Muziekgebouw | Amsterdam
25 January 2027 Muziekgebouw | Amsterdam (school performance)

31 January 2027 Concertzaal | Tilburg
1 February 2027 Concertzaal | Tilburg (school performance)

7 February 2027 Stadstheater | Arnhem

14 February 2027 Stadsschouwburg | Utrecht
15 February 2027 Stadsschouwburg | Utrecht (school performance)

27 February 2027 Cool Kunst & Cultuur | Heerhugowaard

28 February 2027 Stadsschouwburg | Haarlem

7 March 2027 Theater de Tamboer | Hoogeveen
8 March 2027 Theater de Tamboer | Hoogeveen (school performance)

13 March 2027 Chasse Theater | Breda

14 March 2027 Munttheater | Weert
15 March 2027 Munttheater | Weert (school performance)

20 March 2027 de Blauwe Kei | Veghel

21 March 2027 Amare | Den Haag

28 March 2027 Wilmink Theater | Enschede

31 March 2027 Zaantheater | Zaandam (school performance)
1 April 2027 Zaantheater | Zaandam (school performance)

4 April 2027 De Spiegel | Zwolle

11 April 2027 De Kunstlinie | Almere

* Photos of puppets in progress

Mede mogelijk gemaakt door:

The partners of this production can be found on the Holland Opera website www.hollandopera.nl/voorstellingen/pinokkio