Wonderful “Wonderland”! - Review

February 17, 2017 by Claire Cosgrove

“Wonderland” is a brand new musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Following sell out seasons in Tampa, Texas and Tokyo, it has just started a UK Tour and is at The Cliff Pavilion, in Southend, until Saturday 18th Feb. The show has already clocked up multi Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations, thanks, in part, to the brilliant score by Frank Wildhorn.

I managed to miss the press night thanks to my complete incompetence (I blame half-term brain) but thank goodness I got an opportunity to see it on Wednesday night as it really was a fantastic show!

I’ll set the scene. It’s Alice’s 40th birthday. She is living in a high-rise flat with her teenage daughter, still pining for her deadbeat ex-husband and to top it off, she has just lost her job. Not your average start to the classic tales, but certainly an intriguing one.

Disillusioned by her life, Alice declares that she does not want to be part of the real world anymore and, as if by magic, the White Rabbit appears to whisk off to Wonderland for a journey of self-discovery. Teenage daughter, Ellie is first to dive down the ‘rabbit hole’, although in this version it is an out of order lift in their council block, closely followed by Alice and her besotted neighbour, Jack.

It is at this point when the familiar and slightly bonkers world of Alice In Wonderland presents itself in all its glory. Dormouse, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar and all our favourites, are there to guide Alice and offer advice through her journey around Wonderland.

With such exceptional costumes, staging and lighting, you can’t help but get drawn into the show. The cast are all brilliant, with no exception. We meet Caterpillar, played with suave charm by Kayi Ushe and his collection of beautiful, dancing legs! The Cheshire Cat (Dominic Owen) was a particular favourite with his skittish behaviour and acrobatic tricks. The Mad Hatter (Natalie McQueen) turns into a megalomaniac tyrant after walking through the looking glass and has all the crazy charm you would hope for along with a stunning vocals.

Headlining the show was Wendi Peters at The Queen of Hearts. It was if she was born to the role, it was just such a shame that there wasn’t more stage time for her. Although, when she was on stage, there was no missing her.

I was really taken with Rachael Wooding who played Alice. Wooding already had some notable credits to her name before making the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent last year. It’s a gem of a part, which is probably why she has to share it with West End favourite, Kerry Ellis. I was glad I saw Wooding in the role, she looked like she was having the time of her life and was a joy to watch.

As the programme states, it’s a touching story and an adventurous exploration of who we are, who we want to be and the power of everyday magic in our lives. I couldn’t have put it better myself. If you have some time this week, get down to see this show. It is recommended that you are over 8 years old and I think there is enough energy, colour and vibrancy to keep everyone entertained.

Suspend all preconceived ideas of the classic story and take the show on its very own unique merits. I can’t believe that it’s never had a run in the West End, it deserves it. Even more reason to catch it on tour whilst you can. Still smiling and humming this morning. It was a lot of fun.