Fabulous Alice

This year's was Alice - The Musical - and it was fun, fantastic and fabulous. The company of 43 had obviously had a great time preparing and rehearsing for the four performances. They were accompanied by seven musicians and a crew of more than 70.

The costumes were simply wonderful - the mock turtle, the hare, the dormouse, the gryphon, and the simply enormous caterpillar all looked fabulous and the king and queen really might have walked straight out of a deck of cards.

The action began with an introduction from the adult Alice Liddel, as she remembered the Revd Charles Dodgson telling her the story of Alice in Wonderland.

It was very much an ensemble show, with everyone contributing to a spectacular production. The special effects were amazing and the scenery wonderful.

Audience participation was invited for the lobster quadrille and many were prevailed upon to join the dance. The quirkiest and perhaps one of the funniest contributions was the delightful little puppet which kept popping up, dancing, singing and conducting, at various stages in the show.

Director, Angela Mackie, says that, as a child, she hated Alice, but thoroughly enjoyed directing this version.

Production assistant was Heather Dear; stage manager, Alan Brough; assistant stage manager, Paul Barnes; set design, Angela Mackie; musical director, Colin New; puppeteer, Tom Paris.

Cast: Lewis Carroll, John Hill; Alice (as an adult) Laz Earl; Alice (in reality) Tessa Fairey; Alice (in Wonderland) Esther Newson; white rabbit, Andrew Delany; caterpillar, Morwenna Perrott; cat, Helen Tanner; walrus, Rob Day; carpenter, Chris Weston; duchess, Frances Swithinbank; cook, Keli Young; hatter, Lewis Brundish; hare, Mark Cooper; dormouse, Hannah Mason; singing teapot, Emily Ewens; mock turtle, Tom Cole; gryphon, Sam Griffiths; card 2, Heather Lewis; card 5, Samuel Jefferies; king, Tim Bartlett; queen, Harriet Turnbull; executioner, Kelly Brice; knave, Francesca Forman.