OBSERVER: Alice In Wonderland


Penny Farrow’s adaptation of Lewis Caroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a magical, fun-packed 60 minutes.
Performed for a limited season at the Athenaeum Theatre, Farrow’s Alice in Wonderland was created over a decade ago with Executive and Creative Producer Ethan Walker, and still resonates with imagination and creativity.
The fantastical characters Alice meets on her adventures are masterfully recreated. Costumes by Walker, Gayle MacGregor and Diana Eden are elaborate and wondrous – from the Caterpillar that transforms into a dazzling butterfly to the majestic, if not robust, Queen of Hearts (Simon Burvell-Holmes).
Entertaining stagecraft and puppetry (Chris Barlow and Deiter Barry), enhance the fun and visual delight. Superbly designed by Nate Bertone, the set provides the perfect backdrop for Alice’s adventures and the madcap characters she meets in Wonderland’s whimsical and surreal world.
A strong cast and ensemble bring this tale to vivid life. Alice, Eowyn Turner, Farrow’s real-life daughter, is a convincing Alice, portraying her curious and adventurous spirit with ease.
Mime is cleverly employed to portray Alice as shrinking and growing. Lucy Fox charms as the White Rabbit, blending anxiety and energy to create a sense of chaotic expectancy in the narrative.
Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matilda Simmons and Justine Anderson), while quirky and playful – and a hit with the younger audience – linger in the spotlight a little longer than necessary.
Their extended time could have been shared more evenly with the Caterpillar (Anthony Craig), the Mad Hatter (Sharnema Nougar), and especially the Cheshire Cat (Burvell Holmes) – a truly masterful piece of puppetry that captivated with its enigmatic and illuminated smile.
This vibrant production, full of whimsy and creativity, brings the magic of Wonderland to life with skillful storytelling and a delightful blend of nostalgia and innovation. It is really an enchanting recreation, one Lewis Carroll would surely approve.

Reviewed by Beth Klein