Pinocchio Goes Stateside

Ahead of public opening, the Torch Theatre’s festive production of Pinocchio has become a stateside hit after a Connecticut Pizza Company displayed the theatre’s artwork in the front window of one it’s restaurants.

The aptly named Pinocchio Pizza reached out to the Torch Theatre’s marketing department to ask for a copy of the Pinocchio promotional poster after spotting the artwork online. The theatre was more than happy to oblige by sending over a poster to the company. The poster was framed by Pinocchio Pizza owner Armen Berisha and now sits pride of place in the window of the New Canaan restaurant.

The artwork of Pinocchio was designed in house by the Torch Theatre’s marketing team, this time around by Marketing Officer, Liam Cole. Liam said: “I was in shock when I got the message from Pinocchio Pizza that they wanted to display the artwork in their pizza restaurant! I had to double take at first when the email said it was coming from Connecticut USA; sure enough, they had spotted the image online and wanted to get hold of a print for display in their New Canaan restaurant. We were more than happy to oblige and sent over an A1 poster across the Atlantic, and it arrived safe and sound Stateside, with much gratitude. Thankfully no whales (or hungry sharks!) to deal with on this adventure, but as for Pinocchio’s escapades on stage at the Torch Theatre this December, who can tell what lies in store!”

The Torch Theatre’s marketing team have a rich history of designing the artwork and promotional material for its productions including One Man, Two Guvnors, The Wood and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The artwork designed for The Wood has been used as the front cover of Owen Thomas’ First World War story which was recently published on Amazon.

Working with the theatre’s Artistic Director, Peter Doran, the vision and themes of the production are portrayed in the artwork which are used in the marketing of the show. The designs start as a simple concept and evolve into some incredibly eye-catching promotional material. Peter added: “Generally, people make comment on the content of a show or the performances, the marketing of the show is not generally highlighted so it’s great that somebody has recognised the quality of our art work. The marketing department have produced some stunning designs over the past few years, Grav, The Wood, One Man Two Guvnors, all stunning pieces of work. Maybe it’s worth a pizza if ever we tour America again.”

Pinocchio Pizza (although unable to send a pizza across the Atlantic) are sending the Torch Theatre a couple of Pinocchio Pizza T-shirts as a thank you. If they do arrive in time, the T-shirts will be on display during the public run of the theatre’s family festive show.

Pinocchio runs at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven from Thursday 20 December to Saturday 30 December at various times, including a BSL interpreted performance on Thursday 20 December and a relaxed performance on Saturday 22 December. Tickets start from £16.50 and can be purchased from the Torch Theatre’s Box Office on 01646 695267 or online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk