Alice in Wonderland

Both psychedelic fantasia and fairy-tale, Alice in Wonderland presents an audience with a catalogue of the most unimaginable creatures in fiction. The challenge for performers staging Alice is to explore and expose these phantasmagorical literary creations to the nth degree – and a collection of madcap and zany actors unleashed on characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar and the Dormouse took audiences on a wild, crazy and laugh-filled ride at Hockwold Amateur Theatrical Society (HATS)’s production of Limelight Scripts’ Alice in Wonderland. 

This being a pantomime, a dame was essential, along with a villain additional to the Queen of Hearts, and a ‘joker’ is needed too. So Dame Millicent is installed as the mother of Alice in this rendering, a Knave of Spades is the extra villain, and Wally is the joker, the clown navigating the heroes – accidentally of course – through the dangers and jokes to the final curtain.

Norfolk’s HATS is something of a repertory company. Familiar faces populate each production, generally rotating through a variety of parts throughout the years, and it’s clear that HATS has a dedicated core of diverse volunteers for whom these annual pantomimes are a real joy to perform. Another constant in HATS productions is the extraordinary array of highest-quality costuming by the marvellous Carol Haigh – this show was no exception; Haigh’s costumes were startlingly beautiful. She’s arguably the finest costumier in NODA East, with a top support crew of Joan Ellison, Betty Golding, Kath Brown, and Janice Whitaker.

This production also featured beautifully detailed backdrops and cloths, created and executed by director Gary Sander. Lovely to look at!

Kira Daughenbaugh was a sweet-faced Alice, leading her mum Dame Millicent (Dom Bunten) through forests and tea parties and castles. Bunten was an (appropriately!) over-the-top dame, in contrast to young Kira, who often could not be heard. Jill Enefer brought her usual high energy and good humour to foolish Wally, and worked hard to get the audience going, which she accomplished with panache. As the villainous Knave of Spades, director Gary Sander channelled a lisping John Malkovich into the (fake) leather and spikes attire, simpering his way through evil guidance to comical henchmen Tweedle Dum (Suzie Sander) and Tweedle Dee (Mary Sullivan).

Sarah-Rose Hunt portrayed the Queen of Hearts (of “Off with his head!” notoriety) as a ill-tempered madwoman, with Andrew Gookey as her genial consort, the King of Hearts. David White was a frantic White Rabbit, and Kerri-Ann Linge was the Princess of Hearts to Hannah Sullivan’s Prince of Diamonds, whose plans to wed may be thwarted by the Knave of Spades’ dastardly plans.

For this reviewer, the show’s highlight was the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party featuring Jo Ward as the Mad Hatter (in a fabulous costume and hat!), Debbie Hunt as the March Hare, and Laila Ashby as a very sleepy Dormouse. This scene makes absolutely no sense, and watching the players pretend to make sense of the madness of it all was laugh-out loud funny.  Also high on the list of delights were the languorous Cheshire Cat performed by an almost unrecognisable Sue Perry and the Caterpillar (Marjorie Bradley).

With this production, HATS appeared to put lessons from previous musical extravaganzas to good use. First, choreographer Viv Morris actually led the large ensemble from out in front of the stage, doing all the steps with a gorgeous smile, guiding her less proficient dancers behind her through the right steps with the right timing. Second, there seemed to be fewer songs. While pantos are a platform for a large number of well-known songs, the songs are not effective entertainment when singers struggle and the shows can be better off with just a few musical numbers.

A bright gaiety carried this show through on a spirited wave. The wave could be even more uplifting with tighter pacing, quicker set changes (perhaps with some music between scenes) and microphones for softer-voiced performers. We want to hear it all!

Thank you, HATS, for a fun-filled evening!

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