Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” has long been a source of creative interpretation. Presented by Immersion Theatre and coming shortly to Towngate Theatre in Basildon, I was fortunate to be invited to one of their earlier performances in Great Yarmouth during the half-term holiday, and even more fortunate to be able to accompany my two girls.
My family was pleasantly thrilled by how early all of the characters appeared before the curtain opened. We saw familiar figures like Alice, The Rabbit, and The Queen roaming around the theatre, conversing with the audience and even posing for photographs. It was a lot of fun, and it made us feel included in the show
Amy Bastani delivered an outstanding performance as Alice, particularly in her singing, while Ben Packer’s portrayal of the White Rabbit kept us engaged throughout the story. Emmet Carroll’s portrayal of The March Hare was fantastic, Chris Laishley’s versatility shone through in various characters, including the Mad Hatter, and Meg Matthews’ commanding performance as the Queen of Hearts certainly had us booing.
The actors did an excellent job in their multiple roles, and we didn’t realise there were only five people on stage until after the show.
Overall, “Alice in Wonderland” was a charming production that caught the essence of Carroll’s timeless tale in a way that was suitable for children aged 4 and up, as well as providing plenty of giggles for adults. It’s no surprise that many people left the theatre with a wide grin on their faces after witnessing such outstanding performances, wonderful moments, and an infectious night of laughter.
Alice in Wonderland will make its Basildon debut at Towngate Theatre on Sunday, April 14.