THE Mad Hatter is missing a vital piece of his costume.
To help out, an appeal is being made to the dale’s children to come up with a piece of handsome headgear for the character.
The Castle Players have teamed up with The Witham to ask those aged four to 11 to design a hat that will be worn by the Mad Hatter in the forthcoming summer production of Alice in Wonderland, in the grounds of The Bowes Museum.
The lucky winner will also get covered seating tickets for a family of four for the opening night, July 10.
Children will have the whole of half term to get creative.
Entries will be judged by Teesdale Mercury editor Trevor Brookes, local hat maker Ann Gill, and the Mad Hatter himself, Ben Pearson.
Actor Ben said: “I’ll be looking for something quite sparkly and quite over the top.
“It’s a character who is a little unusual, a bit forgetful, a bit daft.
“Think about things that might go with that when you do the design.”
He added: “He is a hatter who, for all the hats he’s making and selling, doesn’t have a hat himself, so I think it’s only right that he has a pretty magnificent hat of his own.”
To enter, and for all terms and conditions, pick up a Mad Hatter entry form from The Witham, Barnard Castle, or download it to print at home from www.thewitham .org.uk.
Hand it in complete with your own amazing design by 4pm on June 8. The winner will be announced on Friday June 15.
Sarah Gent, marketing and programming manager at The Witham, said: “This promises to be such a magical production that we couldn’t resist joining in the fun.
“Children have such wonderful imaginations that I can’t wait to see the drawings that are created inspired by the Mad Hatter. We will put all entries on display here at The Witham. Good luck.”
The Castle Players’ production of Alice in Wonderland will run from July 10 to 13 and will include a Saturday matinee.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.castle players.co.uk, by calling The Witham box office 01833 631107, or in person at The Witham.
