Alice in Wonderland is as magical as one would hope

By Amy Kirle

Whether you have kids or you’re a big kid yourself, you can’t go wrong watching Iris Theatre’s production of ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ this summer. This immersive theatre experience in and around the beautiful Actors’ Church in Covent Garden takes you on a chaotic, crazy and clever adventure through Wonderland and into the bizarre but sensible cranium of Lewis Carroll.

The refreshingly bold and brave Alice - played by the mesmerizing and enigmatic Laura Wickham – leads you and the excitingly entranced and eager young audience around you through rivers, woods and flower gardens to meet tens of strange and rapturous characters all played by a small but remarkably energetic cast of seven. A strong female role model on an adventure all of her own is rarely found and Wickham proves that a curious mind and an innocent nature can win the day when you believe in yourself and what is right.

Musically led by the multitalented Leo Elso, the cast bound about singing the impressive works of Candida Caldicot highlighted in the catchy tune ‘Messing About on the River’. All the cast proceed to costume change in the blink of an eye and never leave a moment for you to wonder ‘what’s next?’

A mention must be given to the pleasingly varied and entertaining camp cameos by Jos Vantyler, particularly when he takes on the form of a coiffured and orange Tiger Lillie flower but the star of the show is the unstoppable whirlwind of energy that is Anne-Marie Piazza. Piazza’s comic timing and boggle-eyed craziness reach climax in her role as the Red Queen and it must also be said that she has the purest clear-as-a-bell soprano that is worth the ticket price alone.

Don’t be put off by thinking this is a children’s show as there is a pleasing amount of darkness and heavier themes in this Alice sequel. The show touches on young love, death, madness and aging with even a couple double-entendres thrown in for good measure, floating high above the more innocent minds of the crowd. It could have been cut down in places as the evening felt a little long but this didn’t seem to bother child nor adult as the constant moving from one area to another kept everyone fresh.

Finally, the movement of the actors – under the movement direction of Isla Jackson-Ritchie – was outstanding. From wobbly comedic horse riding to scary Jabberwock and friends, the twitchy goodness of the characters was a joy to behold.

Fantastically directed by Jamie Jackson and with perfect adaptation by Daniel Winder, this is a bonafide treat for a glorious summer evening in London.

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