THE INCREDIBLE funfair has arrived at The Gala Theatre in Durham. Eleven year old Alice, Beth Crame, loves helping her Dad, but suddenly her life is about to change. Her Dad – Eric, Steven Stobbs, has announced they are going to live in a house and leave the funfair and the caravan behind. Joining them with Mandy, Kylie Ann Ford, and her son Callum, Aiden Nord. Alice doesn’t want everything to change. She’s comfortable with the people around her including Helena the Fortune Teller, Karen Traynor and Tomas, Kieron Michael. Alice engages with the audience well as she informed them that she is yearning for an adventure as she packed her bag and the story began.
The cast skilfully move between a range of characters, they are so slick you instantly forget which characters they’ve already played as they draw you into the adventure. The highlights must be the Queen of Hearts, Kylie Ann Ford, with such sophistication. The tea party set in the spinning tea cup with the crazy Mad Hatter, Kieron Michael. One of the reasons this works so well for younger members of the audience is the constant changes and different elements as 2 characters appear very differently. The caterpillar glows brilliantly as a large puppet operated discreetly. The Cheshire Cat is projected on the ceiling and the theatre walls, created by Chris McQuillan, adding a more mystical element to the show.
The show does have a very strong pantomime feel, with the catchy songs, teaching the audience some actions to join in and talking directly to the audience.
As a version of Alice in Wonderland it is highly entertaining with a talented cast.
Even the very young members of the audience were totally engrossed throughout.
This show is perfect for all the family.
Alice in Wonderland runs until Saturday 12th August at Durham Gala
