By Ebba Scherer, Director of Drama
Wow! What a wonderfully bonkers story to bring to life on stage. From a directorial perspective, this production has been an absolute feast for the imagination. With a cast as fabulous as this one, no idea felt too big or too challenging! From the sassy Queen of Hearts to the playful Tweedledum and Tweedledee, we were swept into Wonderland by these beloved characters, brought to life by our incredibly talented students from Years 7 to 13.
A humongous thank you to every student, cast member, and crew member who has dedicated their time and energy to this production. The commitment and teamwork have been extraordinary, and the creativity you’ve brought to this process is something I’ll never forget. Ben’s incredible work programming the entire lighting design (yes, all of it!) has been nothing short of remarkable, and Cameron and Nat skilfully blended mics and crafted a sound design that perfectly complements the magical world of Wonderland. Jasmine, as usual, has kept her cool up in the tech box as she expertly operates the lighting design.
Our characters wouldn’t be the same without the stunning costume designs by Ruth, Jeminah, and Orla, and Jess S has been an absolute rock, calmly managing the props backstage. I am endlessly impressed by the creativity and hard work of Jessica K, Malin, Hannah, Lina, Summer, and Matilda, who have designed and created the masks and props that bring so much character to the production.
Students should be proud of themselves and the work put into this process. Well done, and congratulations to all!
Check out these lovely reviews of the show from some of our audience members here:
By Audience Member
The recent Sidcot production of 'Alice in Wonderland' was not your typical relaxing journey down the rabbit hole. It was a mind-bending, fever dream that showcased the creativity and talent of performers, lighting designers, sound designers, set designers, and faculty.
The vibrant set design immediately transported the audience to the whimsical but twisted world of Wonderland, filled with giant neon mushrooms, sparkling starry night backdrops, and imaginative props used in clever ways that captured the essence of Lewis Carroll's story but for a modern-day audience. My favourite use of props was the umbrellas used during the Cheshire Cat's introduction scene. This was a genius way of introducing the audience into the Chesire Cat's philosophical and mischievous mind.
The cast delivered strong performances, starting with Alice, who was split between five actors. This created an episodic feel to the story and allowed opportunity for young talented students to shine brightly and carry the audience seamlessly through the story. Their portrayal was charming and relatable, perfectly embodying the curiosity and wonder of a child exploring a fantastical realm. I loved how each transition of Alice’s was different. My particular favourite was the use of the door. This was a brilliant way of transporting the audience into the abstract world of wonderland, accompanied by dreamy lighting and alternative music, which tied together Lewis Carroll’s vision and the director's vision beautifully.
The supporting characters, including the ensemble chorus, Caterpillar, Queen’s servants, Unicorn, Lion, Dormouse, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, White Queen, Red Queen, Cheshire Cat, and the King and Queen of Hearts, brought a delightful mix of humour and eccentricity that kept the audience engaged throughout the show.
I absolutely loved the White Rabbit and was memorised by the actor's ability to stay in character physically throughout the entire show. Their energy was fantastic and added an exciting and fast-paced element to the story which was needed to keep momentum. I was blown away by the energy of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare and enjoyed every moment they were on stage. They projected their voices well and embodied the franticness of both characters with spectacular detail vocally and physically. The Chesire Cat delivered a committed performance, using movement so well It felt like I was watching a professional cast. Their stand-out moment was delivering an operatic solo, which captivated the entire audience. The Queen of Hearts performance was on point, showing the bratty, spoiled, sadistic character of the queen well. The Queen of Hearts costume was beautifully crafted, with a lot of the cast's costumes reminiscent of a Vivian Westwood runway show.
Special shout-outs to the Mock Turtle, Gryphon, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, and Alice’s family. Great performances with lots of energy and humour throughout.
The choreography of the ensemble numbers was energetic and fun, adding a dynamic layer to the performance. The musical numbers, featuring original arrangements and catchy tunes, were well-executed and showcased the vocal talents of the students. It was evident that a lot of hard work went into rehearsals, as the timing and coordination among the cast were impressive.
The director and crew deserve huge praise for their vision and dedication in bringing this classic tale to life. The production not only entertained but also highlighted important themes of imagination, friendship, and the journey of self-discovery.
Overall, Sidcot’s rendition of 'Alice in Wonderland' was a whimsical escape that left the audience smiling and reflecting on the joys of childhood. It was a fantastic showcase of talent and creativity that truly honoured the spirit of the original story. I can imagine being a part of this cast was great fun and that all the students involved were able to create fond memories that would last a lifetime.
By Rafe, J4
I was lucky enough to see the play of Alice in Wonderland in the Senior School twice yesterday – once with my friends in school time when we were joined by children from Winscombe Primary too, and once with my family in the evening. When I arrived, the atmosphere was magical. I crawled through a tunnel into the Meeting House and the border of the stage was made up of cards. It really gave the stage an out of this world feeling. The acting was incredible and the changes between the five Alices was cleverly done each time.
I liked how creative the play was. It really created a dream-like state. I found the story very confusing (especially the first time) but the second time I realised that is sort of the point – dreams can be confusing! I thought it was very memorable that the last lines reminded you that it is all a dream, using a nursery rhyme (‘row, row, row your boat’), which mirrored the story. My favourite characters were the Mock Turtle and Gryphon. Their duet was very funny, and I liked the beatboxing. We were all laughing.
After the play, we talked about how Alice is always curious in the play. She is always asking questions and trying new things. This is a bit like what we are taught to do at Sidcot and brings new adventures every day.
