Alice in Wonderland – Shakespeare North Playhouse

A fabulous theatre, a story of marvel and magic, at a pantomime time of year and excitement in bucket loads, this being the ingredients to the opening night for the journey into fantasy, written with brilliance by Nick Land and directed with creativity by Nathan Powell that greeted the packed theatre this evening. To greet the full house, there were children dancing in the foyer and magical colour-changing potions to add to orange juice with the famous quote from the book itself  ‘drink me’ (now pour me), that had us all entwined in the world of Lewis Carroll from the onset.

As the play started, the playing cards greeted the crowd, waving excitedly at children dressed as Alice in pale blue dresses or as Mad Hatters who all waved back with beaming smiles. The 4 cards on stage realise that they are not going to be joined by the rest of the pack and so have no choice but to put on the play of Alice in Wonderland themselves. Seeing plays performed by small companies taking on multiple roles is nothing new (after all this is a theatre dedicated to Shakespeare!) so the chaotic humour was about to ensue.

The story enfolds by an adult Alice entering the stage, with her two young children. She is exhausted and frustrated by her Christmas shopping in her hometown of Prescott and wants nothing more than to go home and rest and to forget the  Christmas festivities. Something she sees in the corner of her eye intrigues her  – a white rabbit (that was amusingly passed around the audience).  She remembers the white rabbit from a time when she was a young girl and followed a white rabbit into an enchanted underground world – but that she felt was just a dream.  

And so the magic of wonderland begins, Alice dons a pale blue pinafore and transforms to an adult Alice, that we all know and love,  and throughout the story Alice (played brilliantly by the talented Helen Carter) takes us with her on this story of wonder, nonsense and fantasy, as she meets up with the flamboyant characters of the Lewis Carroll gem.

The White rabbit ( played with great panache by Tia Larson) who’s fabulous costume and French accent was  extraordinary ; the Cheshire Cat (played with tenacious energetic talent by Kelise Goron-Harrison);  the Mad Hatter (played with compelling charm and amazing acrobatic skills by Milton Lopes); the wicked Duchess (played fabulously with sublime evilness – and lots of “boo” appeal by Martha Godber) – each of the cast members had incredible singing voices, (the songs were fabulous – well done Simon Slater and Rachel Waite) , great stage appeal and improvising skills -as they encompassed additional roles to include a Do-Do, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Jub-Jub bird, the sleeping door mouse and the Queen of Hearts. The costumes were sublime, modern, inspirational , eclectic and joyful and huge congratulations must go to costume designer Sascha Gilmour – for both the amazing costumes and the set.   

The story leads us through the underground world of Wonderland with Alice desperately yearning to get back to Prescott and her children and the journey she takes , through the looking glass, at the Mad Hatter’s tea party and reclaiming her “smile” from the wicked Duchess, was a joy to be part of-and part of it we were, as the audience we were encouraged to participate many times – which of course the children and adults alike adored!  

This was a unique view of an epic story of fantasy, oddball characters and the need to be at home.  The panto feel of the show was apt and very enjoyable. If you want a different experience this Christmas period – come and see this inspirational show. I am sure you will be as mesmerised as I was.

A Wonderful Christmas treat!

Reviewer: Jan Mellor

Reviewed: 26th November 2024

North West End UK Rating: