Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland
The Australian Shakespeare Company. Ripponlea House & Gardens. Ripponlea Estate, 192 Hotham St, Elsternwick VIC. 3 - 27 January 2019.

This is a very resourceful production that fully exploits the range of talents that are involved in this performance. The spectacular setting is a wonderfully enchanting environment for the creative set and costume design as well as the energetic and enthusiastic performances. Alice (Ayesha Gibson) expertly conveys the innocence and naivety of her character which contrasts well with the bizarre and eccentric characters she encounters. White Rabbit (Darcy Dan), Mad Hatter (Dennis Manahan) and March Hare (Liam Maguire) all make the ludicrous nature of their roles distinct and highly entertaining.

The production exudes creative energy not only through the simple but spectacular costumes but also through the attention to detail that the production exhibits. This is evident in aspects such as audience participation which is carefully constructed and executed. This proves to be a lot of fun for the participants both large and small and makes the show very dynamic. The program also exhibits this level of attention to detail by including substantial information about the original story and pages of stimulating activities for children.

The experience of the show could be improved by finding ways to reach the outdoor performance space more easily. Access to the estate gardens can prove a challenge as the show requires BYO provisions for seating and refreshments. Nonetheless, The Australian Shakespeare Company provides an extremely charming and captivating experience of an important classic tale.

Patricia Di Risio

Photographer: Nicole Cleary.

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