Disney's Alice In Wonderland Junior

What a brilliant production!

Camden Musical Society's latest show is a delight for all ages. Disney's Alice In Wonderland Jr. is based on Disney's full length feature film. Disney has re-packed its original film into an hour-long stage version that is suited for junior casts. The original songs from the film are there, with some new ones thrown in with a modern harmless pop feel. 

Note: just because the show has been changed to suit a young cast does NOT mean to say it's been dumbed down. The challenges involved in staging this show are the same ones present in staging a show for trained adults.

And the cast do more than rise to meet these challenges.

I couldn't help but be amazed at not only the talent on display but also the high degree of professionalism and focus of the performers. Everyone was always in character, not letting their character drop once, even in the bits where you'd think they would drop character (e.g. when exiting the stage). Even the youngest cast members kept their character and focus at all times.

First time director Hayleigh Burman hits it out of the park with her staging of this show, not just in the discipline she instilled in the cast, but also blocking the scenes in a way that ensures we know what's going on at all times. Not only that, but her work with the line readings and characterisation is first rate. Example: the script itself isn't actually that funny; the laughs come from how the lines are delivered and how the characters react. It's an old style of humour that is alien to most under 18s. Yet the cast perfectly deliver their lines with the right beats, pauses, inflections, and suitable looks - with confidence. Speaking of old, I was showing my age when only I and some other seniors laughed at the line about Alice not living here anymore (which was also perfectly delivered). I found the younger generation of parents laughing more at the magic cookie.  

Further yet, Burman and her team understand the "vibe" of the show: the craziness of Wonderland (and Alice's interactions with its residents) can become boring or embarrassing if the show isn't presented in the right way. And in this sense the show relies on knowing what theatre tricks to use. Example: the scenes where Alice shrinks but then grows into a giant is done in such a way that only in live theatre will it be effective AND garner laughter and applause. I won't spoil it, but it proves that sometimes the best special effect in theatre is the simplest, most obvious, and relies on the cast.

Another pleasant factor is the work of first-time musical director Kayla Hall. The music is tracked, not live, which has freed Hall to focus on the singing. And what a brilliant job she has done with these voices! All the cast sing with clear diction, in pitch, and with careful attention paid to phrasing and tone. Their voices are simply beautiful. It's such a blessed relief to hear real singing, instead of kids copying those whiny, over breathy screamers that dominate the pop charts.  

These ladies are joined by choreographer Sasja Penman and assistant choreographer Tiana Giampaolo. Their chorey is at a level suited for the ages of the performers, but is still effective and clever. 

On the technical side, the show is aided by professional looking costumes (with fine detail), makeup, lighting, sound, and tight stage management that keeps the show moving along. Oh, and never take for granted the impact a friendly welcome from the Front of House team can have on the experience.

This being a review and not a vox pop, I'm obliged to consider any aspects that didn't gel. The only thing that I noticed was that I felt the backing tracks were too loud, which had the cast fighting the music at times, both in the underscore to dialogue and in the singing. This came across to me as purely an opening night thing.

But perhaps the two biggest positives in this show were, firstly that this cast is not only talented, but so damn likable. The Charm Offensive on display could induce a sugar coma. Better still, none of the cast came across bratty theatre kids, just genuine. Secondly, they did something I harp on about a lot: these kids not only "told the story" to the audience, but worked hard to entertain us. An audience can always tell the difference between performers busting their guts to entertain us compared to just self-indulgently showing off, and audiences react accordingly. This cast truly earned the rapturous applause at show's end (proud parents notwithstanding). 

This production shows the burgeoning talent in the Camden LGA, and I hope Camden Musical Society keeps providing such opportunities for "the kids". I hope the cast and their parents forgive me: I haven't named individual performers in this review, simply because to name one for praise I would have to name and praise all. Yes, they were all that good.

The show may have simple staging, but I found it engaging and enchanting. I certainly enjoyed it more than some of the big pro shows in the city. At only an hour, it's a good way to kick off a night out.  It's been ages since I laughed so much in live theatre. I left with a grin so big on my face that the Cheshire Cat would be jealous. 

Peter Novakovich