Alice in Wonderland is not an unknown story, loved and enjoyed for its unique and unpredictable storyline. To portray the story through interactive theatre, the Tea Tree Players have assembled a spectacular collection of fluorescent sets, matching props, carefully crafted costumes, and well-considered use of the stage (and audience) to tell their story of Alice and her Wonderland friends. Be prepared to cheer on the heroes’ adventures, boo the decisions of the bad guys … and maybe even be on the receiving end of some flirtatious characters.
You can expect to see the usual characters, along with some welcome fresh faces who easily draw laughter from the crowd. After being introduced to the uptight matron of the “Home for Lost & Unwanted Girls” we follow three of the girls from the home – two of whom have surprisingly deep voices – follow the Dame Edna-esque Cook down the rabbit hole to rescue Alice, who is enchanting in her iconic blue dress as she follows the hopping white rabbit and the adventurous royal gardener. The Cheshire Cat can be seen slinking about the wings, guiding our characters with an elegant purr. The Caterpillar commands the stage while Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum encourage a sing-along. The Mad Hatter and his sidekick, the March Hare, match energy, while their friend the dormouse squeaks his way into our hearts. Every actor breathes life into their character, even the younger actors whose characters have no lines are noticeable – their costumes fitting in perfectly and their presence unmissable. When it comes to the Red Queen and her hair-raising laugh, she introduces us to the card guards who take everything a little too literally (as well as expertly changing the sets between scenes), and the kind, exposition-giving King. Each character has a memorable line or moment to take away with you after the show.
The pantomime is a fun-filled, happy ending story, rife with fourth wall breaks and crowd participation, of which the actors expertly encourage and roll with the heckling from the audience. The lighting matches every scene and is timed perfectly with its corresponding scenes – the fluorescent lighting adds an extra layer of Wonderland mystique, especially when you spot the fluorescent props scattered throughout. Both the lighting and music had no missed cues, but on occasion the sound overwhelmed the actors’ voices. Outside of the music trying to steal the spotlight, the actors were well spoken and mostly well heard – a few times the softer spoken actors could’ve projected a tad further, but it was also clear they knew this and were working on it. I look forward to seeing those actors again and seeing how they have improved.
The costumes were handmade, and perfectly suited for each individual character, from the overall fit to the smaller details and sequins. Through the demands of the physical slapstick style, the costumes did not fail the actors and stayed in place with nary a loose thread or zipper unzipping. To pair with the costumes, the makeup was expertly applied, particularly for those with a full face of makeup – be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some small details amongst the makeup and costumes, you won’t be disappointed!
With a well-dressed cast ready to interact with the audience, Tea Tree Players presents a fun night of adventure through Wonderland well worth the interaction.
To book tickets to Alice in Wonderland, please visit https://teatreeplayers.com/production/alice-in-wonderland/.
