Alice: A Virtual Theme Park, Creation Theatre (online) - ★★★★ - Until August 30, 2020


“Topsyturveydom” certainly rules in this enthrallingly strange interactive version of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This is a piece which may be more baffling for adults than for children of five to nine, which I would suspect is the ideal audience. Youngsters often simply accept things which oldsters can find mind-boggling. Sent down the rabbit-hole that leads to Lewis Carroll's bizarre version of Utopia, we get drawn into games and dances all charmingly mixed together. For example, the synchronised swimming led by the March Hare is a delight; additionally, interactive croquet with hedgehogs is great fun. The presentation allows families to join in both on and off screen, and many of the children's faces and reactions are a total delight. For me as an adult (I think) I've always loved The Mad Hatter's Tea Party with the answerless riddles and sleepy dormouse. It works beautifully here. Using art and technology as well as theatre, director Zoe Seaton has created a mind-boggling array of surreal characters and the 80 minute show rarely lags, always engaging our eyes, ears and minds. Some of the humour from the original book remains and together with new material it is all twirled together in a wild whirligig of entertainment. We experience a dream world and end up believing the unbelievable. Certainly bring the children, but don't worry, adults will be charmed too. Who can resist the line, “He's the cream to my puff?” Remember – “Don't be late!”

 Reviewed by D.S.J.

  Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆ 

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 WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until August 30, 2020
Creation Theatre (online)
Various show times available at:
https://www.creationtheatre.co.uk

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