Alice in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll
Adapted and directed by Theresa Heskins
Reviewed by David Bithell
Photo credits by Andrew Billington
The New Vic theatre is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and what a way to end the year with this amazing production of Alice in Wonderland.
With the adaptation and direction of the fantastic Theresa Heskins, joined by the lovely and intricate set design from Laura Willstead, wonderful costume design by Lis Evans and an all star cast, you are in for a real treat of this beautiful story by Lewis Carroll.
Join Alice (played by Eleanor Fransch) as she embarks on a journey to the Wonderland from her parents canal boat somewhere on the River Trent as she follows the The Great Blanco (Peter Watts) to a theare and falls through a stage trapdoor into the Wonderland.
We see parts of Stoke's backdrop as the projection of smoking bottle kilns transmits around the beautiful round auditorium.
The story's favourite and eccentric Mad Hatter is played by the wonderful Danielle Bird (who by the way produces one of the best Stoke accents I have heard from a non Stokie) until New Vic's favourite son Michael Hugo takes over the part on 21st December.
Peter Watts superbly plays the magician turned White Rabbit. The cast are extremely talented and we get to see Matthew Ganley again who is no stranger to the New Vic having played previosuly in The Snow Queen, Around the World in 80 Days and The Prince and the Pauper. He delights as Dad, Mad March Hare, White King and Mandolin. We see fantastic performances from Victoria Brazier (White Queen) and Purvi Parmar who plays Red Queen.
The story even after all these years is delighting audiences of all ages, and Heskins' version delivers from the opening scene right up to the very end.
I love how this production picks out characters from Alice in Wonderland and Looking Glass to the point of precision. Theresa always manages to use the round space with her productions with efficiency and pazass and this is no different to her previous productions.
I particularly loved the fight scene with Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee and especially the choreography as this epitomised what we have come acustomed with plays at The New Vic.
With great acting, costume and set design, people of all ages will enjoy as there are laughs aplenty that will leave you happy and joyed on your way home.
This is one not to be missed and you can catch this play until Saturday 28th January 2023.
For tickets call 01782 717962 or alternatively email tickets@newvictheatre.org.uk.
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