Review: Alice Immersive Wonderland, Dock X

A friend recently asked me why so many cultural events are now labelled ‘immersive’. I had no definitive answer, other than the suspicion that you can charge more for tickets, but it got me thinking about the growing number of immersive experiences I’ve encountered recently in theatre, art and music and there’s no doubt it’s a trend. The latest addition (and perhaps the clue is in its rather awkward title) is Alice Immersive Wonderland at Dock X in the somewhat bleak and desolate surroundings of Canada Water.

Billed as a “spellbinding experience inspired by Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale”, the event begins in a schoolroom where Alice’s tutor delivers the health and safety briefing before releasing the audience into ten immersive spaces. These include The Den of the Caterpillar, The Forest of the Cheshire Cat, The Mad Tea Party and The Court of the Queen. There are secret doors, optical illusions and all the familiar characters and curiosities you’d expect from a trip down a hole with Alice.

The attention to detail is impressive, with rooms packed full of magical touches, interactive quizzes to discover your psychological profile, and games to play including croquet (more like crazy golf), throwing a hoop over the Mad Hatter’s top hat and chess with talking pieces. There are opportunities to dress up (a straitjacket, anyone?) and short videos featuring animated characters and actors. Some of the rooms are quite spectacular, although occasionally the sensory overload makes you feel as though you’ve dropped acid and been transported back to the sixties.

Less psychedelic is a room devoted to Carroll himself, which feels rather like you’re stepping out of Wonderland and into the V&A. Each space also contains explanatory panels and questions such as “Who Was Alice?”, presumably aimed at the adults who might otherwise be wondering what they’re doing there.

Initially, I thought I was in for a magical evening, transporting me back to childhood when I first read the book. Unfortunately, as I progressed from room to room, the novelty began to wear off and the magic became increasingly repetitive. The videos are decidedly average and, dare I say it, rather boring. The games are amusing but generally last only a minute or two. I was also somewhat distracted by the press night gathering of influencers (you can apparently sign up online to join the “brand programme”). As someone who can’t even influence my cat – well she’s not of the Cheshire variety – I spent much of the evening dodging tripods and people brandishing GoPros: there were lots and lots of photo opportunities.

Ultimately, my reaction to Alice Immersive Wonderland was one of disappointment. Children aged six to twelve will probably have a wonderful time running amok, playing games and exploring the various rooms. You can even celebrate your birthday here with “tea mini-cakes”, which sounds suitably Alice-esque.

Adults, however, may find themselves considerably less enchanted. We were promised live performances but apart from the tutor there was precious little evidence of any. Although advertised as a two-hour experience, we completed it in around ninety minutes, including twenty minutes watching the four films in the final room. This, incidentally, is the familiar immersive experience formula of 360-degree projections and surround sound, reminiscent of the recent Van Gogh and Klimt extravaganzas.

I went looking for magic but Alice Immersive Wonderland ultimately disappeared down a disappointing rabbit hole of its own making.

Created by Cités Immersives
Directed by Jean Vergés
Written by Ariane Renauld
Music Composed by Alexis Pivot
Costumes Designed by Anne-Sophie Cochevelou & Sofia Muzzucchelli

Alice Immersive Wonderland runs at Dock X until Sunday 21 March.