Alice In Wonderland Stoke Rep

CURIOUSER and curiouser! Something very strange indeed has started to happen at the Stoke Repertory Theatre with a sparkling adaptation by the Potteries Theatre Company, of the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice In Wonderland.

Alice In Wonderland tells the tale of a girl who descends into a rabbit hole and finds an enchanted world of talking animals, murderous playing cards and shifting realities. No matter how familiar you are with the tale, this production introduces some delightfully original touches, while keeping true to the original story with its much loved characters, such as the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat. To begin with, the first half was almost entirely musical, with songs especially written for the stage version, though they are not generally well known. The wise decision to use microphones ensured that the lyrics could clearly be heard in harmony with the three-piece musical support, and that the notable singing talents of the cast could be fully appreciated.

This was a large production with a cast of around 40 headed by Alice (Emma Bedson), who appeared fresh eyed and genuinely entranced by what she encountered despite appearing in every single scene. A combination of clever casting, enthusiasm and talent ensured that the characters were all hugely enjoyable. The overall impact of this show is impressive, with plenty of colour and spectacular costumes, but be careful not to miss the finer details such as the facial expressions of the Mad Hatter (Glenn Dean), the complex choreography of specific dances including the Turtle Tango, and the comedy repertoire between the characters at the tea party.

Magic was certainly expected of the production crew as well as the cast, in order to create the random wackiness for which Alice In Wonderland is famous. How, for instance, do you make someone disappear down a rabbit hole, shrink, grow again and enjoy a conversation under the sea with a mythical creature? The Potteries Theatre Company met all of these challenges with innovation and style – but you will have to go to see exactly how!

Fern Basnett