Alice In Wonderland at the Customs House

The most difficult genres to write for the stage are comedy and children’s plays, the reason being the crowd soon tells you if it’s not funny – they don’t laugh – and children will quickly indicate their boredom by talking and wanting to go to the toilet.

Therefore attempting children’s comedy is doubly difficult. Thankfully writer Arnie Breen carries it off in this adaptation of Lewis Carol’s classic children’s story.

Presented by the same production team as last week’s Sinbad The Sailor, Alice’s adventure in Wonderland sees her come across familiar and much-loved figures including White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Sergeant Card, Tweedledee, Tweedledum and the Queen of Hearts.

Janine Pardo as Alice charmed the large audience while Ian Hardman, Gavin Coles, Jasmine Dark and George Critchley all gave energetic support, each playing a number of characters. In addition, a bookcase narrator and a puppet dormouse added a nice cartoon dimension the show.

It has to be said that this show contained less excitement and audience participation as Sinbad but it was still a pleasant story with plenty of music and lots of fun.

It’s amazing how a painted backdrop, a few cardboard props and some quite dazzling costumes can create a wonderful, colourful land of make believe that can transport children (and grown-ups) into another world.

The loud cheering and clapping at the end reflected how much everyone enjoyed the show.