‘Through the Looking Glass You Go…’ Wonderland, Churchill Theatre, Bromley. 13.03.2017

After being a week of being a part, it wasn’t long till I was back in Bromley and heading to the theatre once more! Tonight’s viewing would be the new Musical to the UK, Wonderland.

We took our seats based in Row L numbers 35 and 36, for this production our view was fine, with most of the performing based in the middle there was no restrictions to our view, and all could be seen throughout.

Wonderland is a modernised adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Book written by Gregory Boyd, and Jack Murphy (UK adaption by Robert Hudson), and music and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, and Jack Murphy. It tells the tale of Alice a mum who is a disillusioned but yet doesn’t know what to do or how to change. Living with her daughter Ellie, Alice receives help from her, and Jack (their neighbour) they all find themselves transported down an elevator shaft into the magical world, Wonderland. Within this land they meet a White Rabbit, March Hare, a Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, and the Mad Hatter each with their own tales to tell. A Wonderland yes, but it is ruled by the Queen of Hearts a controlled, power driven women. It is up to Alice and her friends to try and save the day, and in doing so get them all home safely! 

It was a brilliant take on Carroll’s story, with great meaning to be shared throughout. Always be true to yourself, and at times you need to ‘move forward’ to get there.  The use of the looking glass within the show, allowed the character to be who they really were, Jack a knight in shining armour, Ellie – a chance to speak her mind openly without worrying of hurting others (the truth can hurt) ‘a real teenager’, Alice- her true self, not hung up on her manipulative ex, and they go on to achieve what they didn’t think they could. It is something that the audience take away, and think what they would become if they too where to walk through – I know I certainly did.

The setting was simple, yet colourful which brought life to Wonderland, it didn’t take away from the story and left a lot to the imagination, which for Alice in Wonderland was perfect. The costume also were very modern, with the simple signs that the characters were animals such as the Cheshire Cat who wore Jeans, boots, had a tail, small ears, and a fur blue, black, and grey waistcoat. I particularly liked the dormouse that was represented by a bobble hat – with 2 bobbles to represent her mouse ears. It was very well presented for the modern tale.

The Cast tonight were as follows –

Alice – Kerry Ellis

Ellie – Naomi Morris

Jack – Stephen Webb

White Rabbit – Dave Willetts

Mat Hatter – Natalie Mcqueen

Caterpiller – Kayi Ushe

Cheshire Cat – Dominic Owen

March Hare – Ben Kerr

Dormouse – Divine Cresswell

Humpty Dumpty – Bree Smith

Tweedle Dum – Benjamin McMillian

Tweedle Dee- Benjamin Yates

Queen of Hearts – Wendi Peters

Cards/Knights/Caterpiiller Legs – Sharif Afifi, Francesca Lara Gordon,Phoebe May Newman, Toyan Thomas-Browne

The had seen two actress before was Kerry Ellis, playing Alice, and Natalie McQueen playing Mad Hatter. I was very happy to see that Kerry would be performing Alice in Bromley as currently sharing the role with BGT finalist Rachel Wooding – so do check which Alice is playing at which venue, I’m sure you wont be disappointed with either as Rachel is an amazing actress too! Kerry’s Alice was good, being a mother herself you could see her relationship with Ellie was true, and watched her change within the musical from the broken down ex wife, to the ‘nobody tells me what to do’ Lady, who goes on to open up and lets others in. Her voice will always be so lovely to listen to, with such control each song she sings looks effortless. Natalie also again shows off her amazing talent and pipes, and it was great to see her create a new role, which she did brilliantly. Her take on the Mad Hatter was spot on, and never broke character, with the slight face expressions and gestures to create the Mad yet entertainingly funny persona. Her duet with Kerry Ellis ‘This is Who I Am’ was a highlight, and their voices blended so well, I could have listened to it all night.

Jack and Ellie, Alice’s two partners in crime played by Naomi Morris, and Stephen Webb. Both also great in their role, and Naomi the youngest in the cast shined above them all, with the classic teenager that all mothers can relate to – when she went through the looking glass that is. You watched her grow up to along with Alice in some ways, allowing her self to speak out for what was right. Stephen’s Jack also a vulnerable geek in the beginning who couldn’t express his feelings towards Alice, but when through the looking glass he turns into a handsome ‘boy band’ prince. A big transformation that Stephen took in his stride.

The characters of Wonderland all had a part to play, and all worked well as a cast. For the chorus, Tweedle Dee, and Tweedle Dum, with the many roles they played, made it look easy, all looking like they were having a great time in Wonderland. The Cheshire Cat played by Dominic Owen was a favourite who had the audience laughing at his silly ways, but then again he was ‘just a cat’ but not many cats can stand on their hands and continue to sing like it was nothing! Dave Willett’s White Rabbit, a star of the Theatre World was very sweet and kind in his role, that you just wanted to cuddle.  His song ‘I am my Own Invention’ also was soft to the ear with his warming voice. Wendi Peters known for her role in Corrie, defiantly showed her talent on stage, and not the usual soap to stage casting, she was perfect as the Queen of Hearts. Taking the role in her stride and the power it held, her voice also was strong, she really was made for the part.

What I liked the most about this theatre trip, was the many children that came to watch. Following Rent and Dirty Dancing it was lovely to see a wide range of ages within the audience. I do recommend this musical for kids at the age of 8 and over, and it would be a great show to start their love of Theatre for sure! Mature, and creative it brings a story to life that everyone can reflect, but also have us laughing and smiling. I only can hope that a soundtrack recording is on the cards, because there are many songs in the score that I would love to hear again, especially by the UK cast!

If you are looking for a great evening out then go and see this show, I know it would be one that I would go and see again if it came back around. Playing at The Churchill until March 18th for tickets go here, it will then continue on his UK tour for further information go to the website here. It will not leave you disappointed!