REHEARSALS are in full swing for this year’s Castle Players’ summer production of Alice in Wonderland in the grounds of The Bowes Museum.
Boasting a 52-strong cast ranging in age from eight to 80, there are some familiar faces as well as some new to the stage, supported by a small army of set builders, prop makers, costume designers and make-up artists.
Among the youngest cast members is eight-year-old Libby Forsyth, who is playing a canary in the production.
She will be joined by great-uncle and oldest Castle Player Nick Perkins.
He takes the part of the frustrated executioner to the Queen of Hearts and jokingly says: “I’m longing to chop someone’s head off but don’t think I’m going to get the opportunity.”
Tickets are now on sale for the show, which will feature characters from both Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, such as the bumbling Mad Hatter, the hookah-smoking Caterpillar, the Jabberwock with the “jaws that bite and claws that catch,” and the melancholy Mock Turtle who sings about “beau-ootiful soo-oop” and dancing lobsters.
Director Dawn Trevor said: “I’m hoping that when people come to see the show, whatever else is going on in their life, they forget about it for a few hours, and enjoy 52 people making fools of themselves.”
The show will run from July 10 to July 13 and will include a Saturday matinee.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.castleplayers.co.uk, by telephone at The Witham box office 01833 631107, or in person at The Witham.
There is also still time to get involved backstage if anyone is interested.
