Prepare to take a tumble down the rabbit hole during Easter this year, with the latest production from one of the island’s leading theatre groups.

Parker and Snell will present their all-new, unique version of Alice In Wonderland at the Gaiety Theatre this month, for four shows on Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, for four shows, at 2pm and 7pm each day.

The play promises to be a new and vivid take on the classic tale, written by Lewis Carroll, and writer and director by Carl Parker said that he wanted to create a play that was both entertaining and fast moving, and to bring a new sense of energy to the well-known and much-performed story.

’Having read a vast range of Alice in Wonderland plays, and the Lewis Carroll novels, what became apparent was the very manic and bizarre nature of Lewis Carroll’s writing,’ said Carl.

’The challenge in adapting this classic story was to create a play for a modern audience and to create something that was accessible to all ages.

’So I took a lot of inspiration from the Tim Burton film, as they have a logical sequence of events, where as the actual original story of Alice doesn’t.’

Carl has created a fresh, contemporary image for his characters, and has looked to the more recent adaptations of the Alice story for inspirations.

’For me, the productions I have seen have been too "oldy-worldy",’ he said.

’The steam punk idea came from the idea that I didn’t want to do a stereotypical junior or Disney-style version of Alice in Wonderland. It is a play, not a musical we are doing, so I really wanted to put a certain sense of a unique style.

’I thought the idea of a steam punk theme would suit what I have done with it, as it is not 100 percent traditional.

’Also, the films were quite gothic, with that element of steam punk too. I have made it a bit more adult, I think, while still making it accessible to kids.

’It will be a mix of bright, brash and colourful Alice in Wonderland while still having a good substantial story there too.’

The role of Alice will be played by 17-year-old Laura Nicholson, who will be appearing in her first lead role at the Gaiety.

’Everybody knows Alice in Wonderland, both the story and the character,’ she said.

’Most people will have a picture in their heads of a blonde haired girl in a blue dress, with a white pinafore.

’However, obviously, I don’t have blonde hair. Straight away I look different from the typical Alice character.

’There is so many elements of madness in the play, together with the gothic and steam punk elements,’ she continued.

’It is such a colourful play, and you can do so much with it.

’There are heart-wrenching moments, there are funny moments, there is a bit of everything, and there is a lot in the play.

’You will not be bored, I promise you that.’

Tickets are priced from £18 for adults, available from the Welcome Centre and the Villa Gaiety Box Office, on 600555, and online from villagaiety.com

by Mike Wade

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