Directed by Jordan Best
Adapted by Jason Pizzarello from the story by Lewis Carroll
Ickle Pickle Productions
Belconnen Theatre to 20 January
Reviewed by Len Power 12 January 2018
A good choice for children’s theatre, ‘Alice in Wonderland’
gives an imaginative director a great opportunity to produce an eye-popping and
intriguing show.
Based on Lewis Carroll’s famous 1865 story, ‘Alice’s
Adventures In Wonderland’, the adaptation by Jason Pizzarello flows nicely from
one adventure to the other. The
logic-defying craziness is all there and the well-written script gives actors interesting
characters to play.
There are two Alices in this adaptation – one ‘real’ Alice
who is trapped in a dream state and a ‘dream’ Alice who actually participates
in the adventures. Sarah O’Neil as the ‘dream’
Alice gives a very nice performance throughout. Emily O’Brien as the ‘real’ Alice doesn’t have
as much to do, but is also a strong presence.
The large cast are obviously having a good time performing
the show and there are some especially notable performances. Jim Adamik is great fun as the Mad Hatter,
Alex MacPherson is a terrifically crazy Queen of Hearts and Janie Lawson gives
a very good performance as a desperately diplomatic King Of Hearts.
Also impressive were Nicole Carr as the Cheshire Cat, Oliver
Johnstone as the March Hare, Eryn Marshall as the Mock Turtle, Caitlin Simkin
as the Caterpillar, Lucy O’Sullivan as Humpty Dumpty and William Best as the
cute and sleepy Dormouse.
The set, designed by Steven Galinec to an original design
concept by Wayne Shepherd, is simple and colourful. There’s well-executed choreography by Talisha
Jackson and a mountain of great costumes by Fiona Leach. The face makeup designs by Janette Humphrey
were especially well-done and original music by Peter Best was tuneful and well
sung by the cast.
Jordan Best has pulled out all the stops with this production
for Ickle Pickle and the result is entertaining for children and adults alike.
This review was first published in the Canberra City News
digital edition of 13 January 2018.
Len Power’s reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7’s
new ‘On Stage’ program on Mondays from 3.30pm and on ‘Artcetera’ from 9.00am on
Saturdays.