Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland – The Pantomime, written by Tracy Rogers and performed by Wraysbury Players at Wraysbury Village Hall, is a vivid, imaginative and often joyful production that clearly sits at the heart of the society’s long-standing commitment to nurturing talent. As the company approaches its 60th anniversary performing in this very space, this show felt particularly symbolic, led by a young and passionate directing team who themselves began their journey on stage before stepping into creative leadership roles.

The production opened strongly, with a confident and visually inventive start that immediately drew the audience into Wonderland. The shrinking sequence and descent down the rabbit hole were especially effective, using clever staging and well-judged theatrical tricks to great comic effect. Oversized mushrooms flanking the stage added colour, scale and a sense of playful chaos that suited the world perfectly.

That said, the overall running time of Act One felt far too long for a pantomime. With a start time of 7:35pm and the interval not arriving until 8:57pm, pacing became a challenge. While the script has charm and wit, tighter editing and firmer cuts would greatly benefit future productions. The use of live walk-on and walk-off music for each character, though enjoyable in isolation, unintentionally added to the length and disrupted momentum.

Act Two felt notably stronger. It was shorter, sharper, and more energised, which allowed performances and comedy to land far more successfully. There were moments of genuinely magical lighting, bold colour choices, exceptional costumes, and scenes that had the audience in stitches. The prison scene, in particular, was riotously funny and had tears of laughter flowing.

There were some technical balance issues throughout. Limited microphones combined with live music and backing tracks meant that vocals and dialogue occasionally lacked depth and clarity. This is an area worth revisiting, especially in a venue like the Village Hall, where sound balance is key. Small practical details, such as ensuring visible liquid in on-stage vessels, would also help maintain illusion.

Overall, this was a warm, imaginative and ambitious production, delivered with heart and enthusiasm. With tighter pacing, continued confidence-building in the younger cast, and refinement of technical balance, Wraysbury Players have the foundations of something truly special — and the future of the society feels very much in safe, creative hands.

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