In this new iteration of "Alice: Return to Wonderland", the titular character has traded in her carefree youth for the drudgery of adulthood. Once a bright and whimsical young girl, Alice now navigates the complexities of post-war Cardiff with a grey suit-clad seriousness that belies the sparkling imagination that once drove her. Yet, when the White Rabbit reappears in her life, sweeping her back into the fantastical world of Wonderland, Alice's inner child is reignited.
In this inventive and playful retelling, set designer Elin Steele conjures up a kaleidoscopic landscape of fantasy and hallucination that draws heavily from Carroll's original tales. The musical also incorporates the idea of power and tyranny, cleverly using children's games as metaphors for the adult world. Hannah McPake's lyrics add to this heady mix, infusing intelligent humour throughout.
The cast delivers impressive performances, including an entertaining Elvis impersonation by Humpty Dumpty (Oliver Wood) in "Out of My Box/Life on the Edge". Emily Ivana Hawkins shines as Alice, belting out an infectious number in "Guess Who's Back" alongside the Hatter (Max James) and Unicorn. Caitlin Lavagna brings a regal presence to the Red Queen, delivering a catchy power ballad that showcases her impressive vocal range.
What sets this musical apart from other adaptations of Carroll's classic tale is its thoughtful exploration of identity and the importance of imagination. As the Hatter so eloquently puts it: "You don't stop playing because you grow up, you grow up because you stop playing." This message resonates throughout the show, a reminder that playfulness and creativity are essential to a fulfilling life.
Director Elin Steele's costumes and puppets are a visual treat, particularly the stunning Jabberwock design. With its imaginative reworking of an old story, this musical invites audiences to rediscover the magic of Wonderland – and themselves.
In this inventive and playful retelling, set designer Elin Steele conjures up a kaleidoscopic landscape of fantasy and hallucination that draws heavily from Carroll's original tales. The musical also incorporates the idea of power and tyranny, cleverly using children's games as metaphors for the adult world. Hannah McPake's lyrics add to this heady mix, infusing intelligent humour throughout.
The cast delivers impressive performances, including an entertaining Elvis impersonation by Humpty Dumpty (Oliver Wood) in "Out of My Box/Life on the Edge". Emily Ivana Hawkins shines as Alice, belting out an infectious number in "Guess Who's Back" alongside the Hatter (Max James) and Unicorn. Caitlin Lavagna brings a regal presence to the Red Queen, delivering a catchy power ballad that showcases her impressive vocal range.
What sets this musical apart from other adaptations of Carroll's classic tale is its thoughtful exploration of identity and the importance of imagination. As the Hatter so eloquently puts it: "You don't stop playing because you grow up, you grow up because you stop playing." This message resonates throughout the show, a reminder that playfulness and creativity are essential to a fulfilling life.
Director Elin Steele's costumes and puppets are a visual treat, particularly the stunning Jabberwock design. With its imaginative reworking of an old story, this musical invites audiences to rediscover the magic of Wonderland – and themselves.
and it got me thinking about how cats have these weird little habits that are like their own language 
... like when my cat curls up in a ball during TV time and starts snoring like a chainsaw! I swear, they're trying to communicate some deep feline wisdom or something. Anyway, back to the musical - yeah, it sounds super fun! 
! The post-war Cardiff setting is so cool, I wish they'd explore that aspect more tho 
. But seriously, Emily Ivana Hawkins as Alice is perfection 
, her voice is everything! And omg, Humpty Dumpty's Elvis impersonation had me DYING 
, Oliver Wood is a comedic genius 
. Director Elin Steele's work is top-notch, the costumes and puppets are insane 
. This musical is a reminder to stay playful and imaginative, something we could all use more of 
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they've done such a great job with the set design and costumes, it's like stepping into wonderland itself! 
and i love how they're using children's games as metaphors for the adult world, it's so clever. emily ivana hawkins as alice is giving me all the feels, her voice is amazing 
and that elvis impersonation by humpty dumpty had me giggling out loud 
. i'm also really excited to see how they're exploring identity and imagination in this show, it's so important for us to hold onto our creativity as we grow up 
. Seriously though, I love how they're using these fantastical worlds to comment on real issues. It's like Carroll's original stories were always meant to be more than just fun and games - there's actually some depth to them! 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to see an Elvis impersonation by Humpty Dumpty 
. The message about not losing your sense of wonder as you grow up is just so true 
. Elin Steele's set design is insane! 
. And can we talk about how they decided to make Alice an adult? Like, what's the point of making her "grow up" if she's just gonna be as grumpy and boring as everyone else on stage? 
. Give me a good ol' fashioned mad tea party any day! 
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anyway back to alice in wonderland... did u know that there's this super old bookshop in london that has a secret room with ancient tomes?? 
my friend went there and took some pics and i'm DYING to see them!! 
. Yeah, it's a thing...
. And don't even get me started on the whole "you don't stop playing because you grow up" thing... it sounds like they're trying to sell me some kind of existential philosophy instead of just having fun 
. Give me something with a bit more substance, ya know? 
). And the music? Not bad at all... that Elvis impersonation by Humpty Dumpty had me LOLing 
. Can't wait to see more shows that remind us to keep playing and not grow up too fast 
It's amazing how a story that started as a simple children's tale can still have such depth and resonance for adults too. The cast sounds incredible, I'm definitely adding this to my watchlist 
! Elin Steele's designs look insane 
. Can't wait to dive in and see what all the fuss is about 
. It's like they're showing us that even with a tough exterior, we all still need that spark of childhood wonder to make life worth living 
. And the way they've woven together elements of power struggles and childhood games is pure genius 
. But what really gets me is that this show isn't just about nostalgia; it's about embracing the importance of playfulness in our adult lives 
They're like 1 billion subscribers in just 2 years! 
Meanwhile, this "Alice: Return to Wonderland" musical is getting some serious buzz, but let's look at the numbers - it's been playing for like 6 months now and those box office stats are looking pretty decent too 
500k+ attendance and a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score! 