Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Kew Gardens, London
Cast: Alice Imelda, Laura Bazely, Luíseach McAleese, Megan James, Ophelia Mancini, Rupert Sadler, Sam Poole, Tom Vercnocke and Tom Whalley
Join Alice on her amazing journey through Wonderland and experience an adventure like no other. These school holidays, tumble down the rabbit hole as the Australian Shakespeare Company presents Lewis Carroll's absurd & wickedly clever classic - Alice in Wonderland.
The Australian Shakespeare Company has brought their summer sensation to Kew Gardens and it is not to be missed! Full of familiar faces, this retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic story is set against the magical backdrop of the woodlands and packed with colourful characters, original music, and lots of laughter.
Finding an event that is genuinely accessible and fun for all the family over the holidays can be tough - especially when considering cost, travel, and all the extras - but the Theatre on Kew programme offers a wonderful solution. The price of your ticket grants you entry into the gardens for as long as you like before or after the show where there is so much to explore.
I loved how so much of the script acknowledged its setting - with croquet actually played on a grassy lawn, and the actors playing birds flitting in and around the trees in the audience space. There also wasn’t just one specific ‘stage’ area, as the performance takes place in front of, behind, and all around you. This makes it both immersive and interactive, as both big and little caterpillars (that’s us) are encouraged to join in with games, songs, and dances!
Spotlighting any one cast member does not feel fair nor possible as every single performer pulls their weight, adding both silliness and strength to the piece. The same can be said for the tech team and stage managers, who were also in costume and always bopping along to the numbers when they were visible. Every one involved had more than one role, and not just within the plot - they were entertainers, facilitators, and teachers too!
So grab a picnic blanket, your favourite people, and your wackiest hats and head here to book tickets (and don’t be late)!
Review by Katie
**photo credit: Kew Gardens**
No comments