THIS week offers the prospect of seeing not one but two Alices in York. The new movie Alice Through The Looking Glass arrives at cinemas today, while Rowntree Players' Alice In Wonderland is running at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre until tomorrow.
“We’re all mad here!” says director Gemma McDonald, quoting her favourite line. “No, really. With the Mad Hatter and March Hare at the tea party, the frequently disappearing Cheshire Cat, more royals than the Queen’s birthday and a heroine who doesn’t stay the same size for more than a few minutes, it really is the strangest production I’ve ever wrangled into shape”.
Adapted from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, by Brainerd Duffield, Gemma's production combines poems, vignettes and large set-pieces in myriad vibrant and often surreal locations.
The director promises a wild journey with even wilder characters. “With so many characters, we've been able to give fresh opportunities to many of our younger members, with many of them donning big frocks and taking the lead on a stage for the first time.
Finn Ella, as the Mad Hatter, and Daisy Blue Ella, as Alice, enjoying tea
"It’s also been great to welcome so many new faces to the Rowntree Players company. We may be the oldest amateur outfit in town, but it's really energising to see the next generation kick in.”
Meanwhile, the stage and costume team, who last worked with Gemma on The 39 Steps in 2015, have turned their hands to creating magic rabbit holes and giant toadstools with an accompanying caterpillar, living playing cards, talking animals and the most infamous of all tea parties.
Leading Gemma’s cast is Daisy Blue Ella as Alice, Marie-Louise Surgenor as the Queen of Hearts and Graham Smith, shedding his pantomime dame’s outfit to leap into the role of the King of Hearts. Finn Ella plays the Mad Hatter, Hannah Temple, the Caterpillar, Dana-Claire Headley, the White Queen, and Cari Hughes, March Hare.
Alice In Wonderland can be seen at 7.30pm tonight and 2pm and 7.30pm tomorrow. Tickets available at www.rowntreeplayers.co.uk or on 07927 026071
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