The Orange Tree's Young Company deliver strong performances in a full and sometimes visually overwhelming adaptation.Rating
Good
It’s brilliant to see an exceptional theatre like The Orange Tree supporting a youth company, and this version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland fills the stage with talented emerging artists aged 18-25. Written by Chinonyerem Odimba and directed by Matt Hassall, it imagines Alice’s trip to Wonderland as an anxiety dream, in a surreal series of adventures with a visually vibrant aesthetic.
The traditional tale is updated to make the story relevant to contemporary young people, with the framing device being Alice stressing out whilst on a residential school trip. She feels hugely uncomfortable there, doesn’t fit in with the others and doesn’t know how to change that. It’s a recognisable circumstance for many teenagers. Existential worries about climate change, plastic pollution and an endangered planet exacerbate her stress until, isolated and desperate for comfort, she imagines she hears her cat Dinah and goes searching for her, but instead finding a White Rabbit and follows them in to Wonderland
Eithne Garricks (appearing at alternative performances) plays a relatable, frustrated Alice with polish and confidence. The character’s anxiety sees her split into multiple personalities, with her self-doubt and recklessness manifested as entirely separate figures (Layla Shurmer and Avani Zarine). It’s an interesting take but complicates the story, which is already tightly packed with themes to wrap your head round.
We follow Alice through all the familiar scenes as she tracks down Izzie Mayhew-Smith‘s energetic White Rabbit. Alice grows large, creating a pool of tears, then shrinking down and swimming in it with the Dormouse and friends, with clever use of headpieces suggesting changing scale. Innovative and amusing physical theatre sees JJ Chilton as the head of a flexing caterpillar enacted by multiple performers simultaneously.
Japhia Pap Marfo is a coolly charming psychedelic Cheshire Cat, who guides her on her way, and the surreality continues in a dynamic rave of a Mad Hatter’s tea party, accompanied by pulsing club music that fills the small Orange Tree auditorium with energy. Some audience participation introduced at this point doesn’t add hugely to the story but certainly gets a few people in the front row noticed and younger audience members enjoy sharing some sweets!
With so many performers on stage there’s a difficulty with bodies potentially blocking sight lines. This is alleviated somewhat by having them stand on boxes or appear in the upper gallery, but still means that visually the performance can be quite cluttered. It does, however, complement the theme of confusion and uncertainty often experienced by young people.
The production is at its best during the musical numbers, which showcase to the full the cast’s abilities to harmonise and dance. Jessica Millson as the Mock Turtle gives a standout solo in the second half of the show and she’s definitely one to watch.
The many themes crossing over each other in the storytelling at times make the narrative clunky, but as the play progresses this clarifies, with Alice learning more about who she is and wants to be, and compassion for others. A reassuring resolution arrives at the end with an encouraging message that it’s OK to just be yourself; to “Love the Change You’re In” and “surround yourself with people who make you smile”. And this talented cast should do exactly that, as they embrace a future founded on mutual creativity, knowing they are supported by an outstanding organisation in a space of positivity.
Written by Chinonyerem Odimba
Inspired by Lewis Carroll
Directed by Matt Hassall
Movement direction by Liam Francis
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland runs at the Orange Tree Theatre until Monday 22 December.
