There is no doubt about the physical and mental endur- ance required for this show. Co-directors Emma Haxton and Catherine Ibbotson really stretched the cast be- yond their perceived limitations. The outstanding results included numerous skilful lifts, sensational choreography with steel-deck, and acrobatic feats such as sending Alice across the stage into a mid-air cartwheel, to then be transported promptly onto the shoulders of Tweedle- dum (Rufus Angel, Year 12), the officious counterpart to Tweedledee (Nat Rowney, Year 13). Not to mention, to the delight of the cast, the opportunity to go under the stage to create an effect of flipping gravity, and falling into the oubliette for Alice to meet the exiled White Queen (Orna Miller, Year 13). We also saw an impressive human clock, orchestrated by Joseph Mathews, Orson Matthews and James Pinon-Williams (all Year 11), and flying props and furniture in a spectacular final sequence in which Alice, having become increasingly irate about these contradicto- ry and annoying characters, is finally returned to reality. Carol Morris’s set design really blew us away, with the stage floor painted with a black-and-white spiral pattern that drew the eye into the centre, as well as steel-deck trucks painted in a similar fashion. Her expert lighting design further enhanced the production, with suspend- ed neon tubes that succeeded in rooting the world of Wonderland within a vivid warm colour palette, as well as bringing in the flashing lights and sudden blackouts of the club. Much praise must also go to Heather Baskerville who produced a brilliant set of wacky costumes, topped off with exquisite hats for each member of the ensemble, made by Simone Jones. The immaculately executed movement sequences were accompanied by a soundtrack of well-known dance anthems and club music, creating perhaps a nostalgic excitement for some former ravers in the audience. In contrast to the heightened caricature employed by the ensemble, Zachy’s Alice gave us moments of down-to- earth naturalism that subtly reminded the audience that what they were watching was nonsense. I relished my role as the captivating Cheshire Cat in this highly original and anarchic production, which was hugely enjoyable both for the cast and the enthusiastic audience. ◉
Phoebe Threadgold (Year 13) and Will Bradley (Year 12) proved a fiercely comedic duo as the Red Queen and her nervous yet good-hearted Red King and had the audience chuckling. A weird and wonderful Caterpillar (Aristou Meehan, Year 12) led the ensemble in a stunning piece of physical theatre. We were transported from the depths of the rabbit hole to the midst of a harrowing flood, a game of croquet whereby the Red Queen shouts excitedly ‘Let’s play war!’, a race accompanied by a fiendish obstacle course, a patch of hostile flowers, and of course the well- known Tea Party hosted by the eccentric Mad Hatter (Zac Broughton, Year 13).
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THE ALLEYNIAN 712
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