Review: Wonderland

Alice has come to tea - or has she? This new production sees the author, Lewis Carroll trying to recapture his memories of "Through the Looking Glass" over the course of an afternoon. Carroll takes us through the book using word and song ably supported by Isa, the actress who played Alice onstage but who has come to tell him she will no longer portray this famous character. Theirs is a curious relationship and the play weaves their own story in and out of the famous book. Carroll is clinging to the past, not willing to let her stop but wanting to retain the memory of Alice as a child. She's in love with him but he only wants her as Alice. There are some dark undertones in this nicely crafted play accompanied by simple songs that enhance the production. More could have been made of the songs in the piece to explore the reality of their complicated relationship but the play is well acted and Michael Maloney personifies many of the characteristics of several of the very familiar characters such as the Caterpillar and the Mad Hatter especially. A simple and enjoyable production.

Assembly Rooms Friday 6th August.

06/08/2010