For several years, production company Deep Bridge has been bringing a vibrant family spectacle during the end-of-year period: witty, playful and yet also educational. Dance and song mixed with a touch of madness. This time inspiration comes from Lewis Carroll's famous book 'Alice in Wonderland'. He published it in 1865, based on stories he told to young Alice Liddell. This vivid tale has captivated and enchanted generation after generation and still...
Christmas holidays, the children are on break and the parents have also saved up a few days of vacation. A white Christmas is not in the cards this time, but there is magic to be found in the theatre. 'Alice in Wonderland' opens the door to an imaginative universe. With tons of artistic baggage to captivate a young audience, production company Deep Bridge uses all the ingredients to create a fun and engaging spectacle. Experiencing a performance live, physical participation makes a theatre visit for children special and unique. It is an interactive experience space.
Alice's journey of discovery
The stage of the Stadsschouwburg has been transformed into a large cavern with, on either side, several oversized mushrooms. Alice, played by Hanne Lefever (alternating with Jeanne Herbots and Ute Bastiaenssens) is lost. A white rabbit (Sander Gillis) crosses her path, snatches her book from her hands and runs away with it. Alone and distraught, she chases after it and ends up in a strange world. The clock, teapot, keyhole, cards... all find their place.
An ensemble of 18 characters sings and dances with such delight. In colourful, beautiful costumes, the performers make their characters their own. The constantly bickering duo Tweedledee (Charlotte Suijs) and Tweedledum (Janis Vercaempst), the caterpillar (Daan Keisse), the hatter (Nardin De Moor), the Cheshire Cat (Line Ellegiers), the March Hare (Jozefien Grossen), impressive is the piano act of the Dormouse (Remi De Smet). It is impressive how young Hanne Lefever makes the role of Alice her own, a natural talent. She sings confidently and with perfect pitch to the catchy music, delivering several beautiful songs.
The Queen of Hearts, played by radio presenter Anke Buckinx, is not entirely convincing. Among all the professionals, she makes a rather weak impression.
Kudos to costume designer Elvira Van Bavinckhove. She achieved a clever solution for the cards. The actors wear long flowing white coats with hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades on them. The choreography by Laurent Flament, including the card game, is punchy and refreshing.
The courtroom scene is well-directed. With a few mobile set pieces, a beautiful effect is achieved.
The protagonists also venture into the audience, which naturally increases interaction with the young public. A lovely family spectacle in which vulnerability, empathy, forgiveness and humour all play a part.
There are performances until 4 January in Antwerpen. After that, the production moves to the Trixxo Theater in Hasselt from Friday 9 January to Sunday 11 January. Recommended age from 6 years old.