Alice in Wonderland

Review by Jack

⭐⭐⭐

A return to the whimsy and magical world of Wonderland, this vibrant 60-minute adaptation offers a compact yet charming take on Lewis Carroll’s classic. While brief, it manages to retain many of the story’s most beloved moments — from the Mad Hatter’s tea party to the Queen of Hearts — and preserves the playful wordplay that gives Alice in Wonderland its lasting literary charm.

The show excels in its use of puppetry and theatrical magic, creatively bringing Wonderland to life in unexpected ways. One standout moment is the potion bottle Alice drinks from, which cleverly grows before your eyes. Another delight is the transformation of Alice’s tears into puppets that become a sea — then fish — in a sequence that captures the essence of imaginative theatre.

Visually, the production is a treat. The staging and effects draw the audience into a world that feels strange, surreal, and spectacular — as Wonderland should. It’s a wonderful way to either introduce someone to Carroll’s world for the first time or revisit a childhood favourite through a fresh lens.

However, the show occasionally struggles with its tone. With a blend of low brow jokes, Trump impressions, and pantomime-like antics, it’s not always clear who the production is aimed at. It flits between childlike silliness and adult-leaning humour without fully committing to either, which can leave the experience feeling slightly muddled.

Still, for a short and playful dive into a literary classic, this version of Alice in Wonderland offers a visually inventive, if tonally inconsistent, journey down the rabbit hole. It’s not a perfect fit, but it’s certainly a curious one.