Lily Staples
The Nottingham New Theatre’s production of Tales of Alice perfectly reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic story, with a new flair and contemporary twist. Written and directed by Farah Shah, and produced by Lily Hagen, the show offers a refreshed perspective on the beloved tale, blending Carroll’s chaotic and whimsical story with an original narrative of a bedtime story integrated seamlessly throughout, which adds an underlying emotional depth to Alice’s journey and a balance to Wonderland’s chaos.
Mackenzie Conroy’s Mad Hatter is truly memorable, comedic and passionate.
At the heart of the production is Lorena Valle Alarcon’s performance of Alice. Her depiction of this beloved character is both full of innocence and curiosity, displaying an ability to shift between the bewilderment commanded by the disorder of Wonderland and a determination to figure out who, what and where she was. The supporting cast deliver equally impressive performances. Mackenzie Conroy’s Mad Hatter is truly memorable, comedic and passionate. Many members of the cast play multiple characters, displaying true versatility, including Alex Vale as both the Cheshire Cat and the Dodo. As the Cheshire Cat, Vale is mischievous and drives the scenes in which he appears, effectively producing many a laugh from the audience.
The staging transforms the intimate theatre space of The Studio in Portland Building into the Wonderland expected. The production used lighting effects cleverly and minimalist props to display the story’s fantastical setting, from the security of a bedroom to the danger of the court of the Queen of Hearts. It is this resourceful approach which highlights the creativity of the producers and designers alike. Thus, the set design from Nisa Abamor and Oliver Chalcroft deserves praise due to its adaptability and ingenuity.
Every element of the show, from its costumes to its transitions worked together seamlessly.
The court scene was particularly memorable, tying together the madness of Caroll’s original story, and serving as a culmination of the chaos and creativity that characterised the production. Every element of the show, from its costumes to its transitions worked together seamlessly. There were also elements of surprise, with characters emerging from behind the audience, throwing confetti, further immersing the audience in Wonderland’s unpredictability. The cast’s camaraderie shines throughout the performance, enhancing the production’s energy, which was further elevated by the enthusiastic support of the audience on the final night, many of whom were evidently friends of the cast.
Overall, Tales of Alice, is a resounding triumph, displaying yet again the Nottingham New Theatre’s talent for creative works and imaginative retellings.
Lily Staples
Featured image courtesy of Alex Watkin. Permission to use granted to Impact. No changes were made to this image.
In-article images courtesy of @talesofalice_nnt via Instagram.com. No changes were made to this image.
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