Alice In Wonderland

I was warmly welcomed on arrival and was able to discuss the performance at the end with Director Daniel Johnson and Producer Lauren Marriott.

This pantomime had been written for the society by Daniel Johnson and contained all the ingredients of a traditional family pantomime including plenty of corny jokes, slapstick and an outrageous dame.

I must start this review by mentioning the costumes. They were magnificent, totally stunning and very colourful! All sourced and mostly made by the society. I congratulate Julie Wardley and Cheryll Burton for their creativity in dressing this pantomime. All the principals had great outfits and I especially admired the Cheshire Cat’s costume! In addition there were some very attractive dresses and outfits worn by the juniors and chorus.

Due to the small stage an apron stage had been erected in front and a good deal of the activity took place closer to the audience. Good use was made of a large video screen to denote the scene changes which were colourful and relevant. Several props were moved on and off fluently the largest of these being a ‘cage’ to imprison Alice. The stage and parts of the hall and bar were decorated with huge playing cards which all added to the production.

Sound levels were good and most of the cast projected their voices well. Good use of lighting enhanced the sets eg the Throne Room.

The music was provided by backing tracks and the cast coped well with some strong voices apparent. There was varied choreography with each choreographer bringing different styles to the show. I noted good positioning and blocking with plenty of movement from the cast.

Casting was good with plenty of talent apparent in those juniors who were cast in major roles.

Wendi Sheard as Queen of Hearts was evil and wicked and Wendi was most convincing in the role. I especially liked her movements sweeping across the stage and her singing of One Way or Another. There were plenty of boos and hisses from the audience. She was partnered by Graham Carey as King of Hearts, a rather pathetic meek and mild character. Alice was sensitive and well played by Ava Robinson-Rogers with good stage presence and vocals. I enjoyed her singing Naughty with the White Rabbit, played by Eleanor Marriott. Eleanor acted this role with great confidence and had a good singing voice. Raymond Seager was a splendid Mad Hatter and led the chorus in several numbers including Happy Not My Birthday (great. ‘tapping’ routine) and We Go Together. A major role for Raymond who acted out this part superbly.

Lyla Parry was an energetic and cheeky March Hare full of confidence and stage presence and Lynn Perera was an enthusiastic Cheshire Cat. Lynn’s voice was well suited to her song ’Everybody Wants To Be A Cat’ and her movement was good in spite of her rather flamboyant costume! Matthew Marriott played Miss Tilly Teacake, a comical and exaggerated Dame who drew plenty of laughs from the audience.

TweedleDee and TweedleDum, well played by Gracie Seager and Fiona Rogers were the traditional funny and stupid couple with some good slapstick. The TweedleDiddlies were far more sensible and Kacie Johnson and Lily Murren acted these roles well. Also Lana Deakin was a believable ghost.

The chorus had plenty do, both adult and junior and I was pleased to see the smiling faces of the juniors.

The audience was noisy and participative.

Congratulations to Director Daniel Johnson and Producer Lauren Marriott for bringing this new panto to the stage. Well done everyone.

 

 

 

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