A troupe of actors, escaping through the mountains from a civil war are caught in a violent winter storm and seek shelter in an abandoned puppet theatre. The eccentric old puppeteer who lives in the theatre gives the acting troupe refuge overnight. During the night, while the adults are asleep, he tells the two restless children the story of Pinocchio. When one of the children asks: 'Is it a true story' the old man replies: 'It's more than true, it's real. I mean, when I tell it'it happens.' Thus begins the well-known tale of the wooden boy who must learn some hard lessons before he can become real. 'Imperiled by dangers brought about by Pinocchio's want of responsibility and self-discipline, the journey is, in fact, a metaphorical trip from childhood to maturity.' (Philadelphia Inquirer) The next morning, as the troupe of actors are leaving, the children discover what they suspected all along. The Old Puppeteer is Pinocchio himself. He has told them the story of his life. Open staging. Approximate running time: 2 hours with intermission.