ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Kew Gardens
★★★
“inventive, energetic and gives the kids an extremely good time”
If you ever considered crossing Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland with The Wiggles, look no further. This immersive, open-air production by the Australian Shakespeare Company for Theatre on Kew is an entertaining and accessible pantomime-esque take that children will love. Though it doesn’t offer as much to adults.
We start in Wonderland. After the Knave of Hearts leads a rousing warm up, the birds burst into the audience, followed by the incredibly late White Rabbit and ‘Bill the Lizard’. (I googled Bill, he does indeed feature in the book.) Bill brings us up to speed before Alice crash lands, having already arrived and cried offstage. While Rabbit and Bill are distracted, Alice sneaks a sip from a curiously labelled bottle and grows so big she bursts out of Rabbit’s house. Luckily she shrinks again and goes on to meet all the iconic characters, play croquet and stand up to the Queen, while engaging in energetic games and songs.
This adaptation by Glenn Elston turns the key story beats into an inventive and digestible format for children of all ages. We’re part of Wonderland from the get-go, whizzing between characters, songs and games. Though the real treat is the croquet game which provides lots of laughs. Although this is a children’s show, there are nods to the adults in the ‘room’, such as comparing the Duchess’ hot soup to Timothy Chalamet and referencing Oasis during a song.
Directed by Elston and Remount Director Dennis Manahan, the highlight of this production is the audience participation. There is no fourth wall, with all dialogue out the audience, characters running through the sea of picnic blankets, games throughout, and dance moves the kids can follow. It makes great use of space and timing, often demonstrating split second timing from cast members who can’t see each other.
Paul Norton’s original score is a big part of this production. The catchy nursery-rhyme-esque songs add extra energy to key moments and characters. The Mad Hatter’s ‘I’m Mad’ song is a genuine earworm. Though they don’t all land. The White Rabbit’s late song goes on a tad too long, and the Tweedles’ Dum and Dee song’s repetitive call and response structure gets old quickly.
Sue-Ellen Shook’s choreography shows range and uses clear movements the kids can follow. Though it could be more cleanly executed by the cast at points.
The high energy cast do a fab job of bringing the energy while singing, dancing and acting multiple roles. There is expert improvving from Rupert Sadler’s Mad Hatter, whose ‘I’m Mad’ song and dance number is a hit in every sense. Alice Imelda’s Queen is another standout, adding nuance and singing beautifully. The Mad Tea Party scene is so slick that Sadler, Laura Bazely (Dormouse) and Tom Whalley (March Hare) never miss a beat despite speaking (and reacting) largely in unison.
At first glance, the set design seems fairly basic though it comes to life very effectively. The costumes do the job, with the Queen sporting an impressively huge red ballgown. Make up wise, there is liberal use of face paint though it does give the non-human characters an otherworldly look. Sound design is effectively executed, punctuating key moments with extra magic.
That said, there are several elements that work less well. Firstly, the lack of plot. I know, I know, it’s nonsense literature. But because we hit every major character with new songs and games, the already thin plot is lost. The references for the adults feel few and far between, standing out rather than feeling cohesive, and lacking a clear sense of humour. The momentum stalls at the Mad Tea Party during competing renditions of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle little star/bat’, which have me scratching my head.
This production of Alice in Wonderland is very much for children who I suspect will give it five stars. It’s not the flashiest or most faithful production you’ll ever see, but it is inventive, energetic and gives the kids an extremely good time. What better way to spend a golden afternoon?
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Kew Gardens
Reviewed on 25th July 2025
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Zac Cooke and Nicole Cleary
Previously reviewed by Hannah:
HAPPY ENDING | ★★★★ | RIVERSIDE STUDIOS | July 2025
GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY | ★★★★★ | CAMBRIDGE GUILDHALL | June 2025
