Here is a story in need of an offstage narrator – a voice reading from the book to provide some exposition and help set a mood of dreamy fantasy.
Having said that, this Alice in Wonderland does give considerable and lasting pleasure. The characters are all brought to vivid theatrical life and they do excite and entertain.
Carole Carpenter's Alice looks every inch the genuine article. Her acting colleagues have three, four or five parts to play but their characters are all richly textured. Michael Lambourne is a magnificent Mad Hatter, bringing the necessary anarchy and absurdity to the tea party. Every other part he plays is wonderfully effective. The same must be said of Daniel Clarkson, whose superb Caterpillar will stay in anyone's imagination.
The Cheshire Cat is a terrific presence thanks to Otter Ochampaugh. Interestingly Ochampaugh also plays the Duchess and this reviewer did not realise the fact until looking at the programme some three hours later. The Queen of Hearts, played by Jess Plumridge, is kept splendidly unpredictable.
With words from a narrator, this story really will be in Wonderland.
The Stage
Kiddies were in Wonderland
The stage performance of Alice in Wonderland at Darwen Library Theatre is a must-see. Alice's Wonderland is brilliantly portrayed by the actors. the characters portrayed are bizarre, amusing and magical.
Particularly memorable is the Mad Hatter's Tea Party where they sing 'I'm Brewing Up' to Pink's 'Get The Party Started'.
The library theatre is a wonderful space to experience the play. It is small and intimate, which makes the audience feel very close to the action.
I went with my nieces aged six, four and two. They had their eyes glued to the stage for the whole two hours. It had clearly captured their imaginations and each of them left with a different favourite character.
'It's the best thing they've ever watched," said their Mum as we left the theatre and, as an adult, I can at least agree it's the best thing I've seen all year.
Elizabeth Hill (Lancashire Evening Telegraph)