Within the primary 5 minutes of the present, Alice (Nkhanise Phiri) experiences each younger Londoner’s worst nightmare: getting misplaced on the Tube. Following a heated argument along with her mum, she rushes right into a prepare carriage simply because the doorways are closing. Separated and alone, Alice is transported right into a bizarre and wacky Wonderland the place she meets creatures named after Tube strains, raps about “Alice-tocracy” and battles the Queen of the Line. This Brixton House manufacturing is exclusive from the get-go. The set is modern and cleverly designed by Shankho Chaudhuri. The stage is split horizontally by a Tube carriage,…
Rating
Excellent
Energetic and imaginative, this witty take of Alice in Wonderland is a must-see this Christmas.
Within the primary 5 minutes of the present, Alice (Nkhanise Phiri) experiences each younger Londoner’s worst nightmare: getting misplaced on the Tube. Following a heated argument along with her mum, she rushes right into a prepare carriage simply because the doorways are closing. Separated and alone, Alice is transported right into a bizarre and wacky Wonderland the place she meets creatures named after Tube strains, raps about “Alice-tocracy” and battles the Queen of the Line.
This Brixton House manufacturing is exclusive from the get-go. The set is modern and cleverly designed by Shankho Chaudhuri. The stage is split horizontally by a Tube carriage, with every finish resembling a tunnel. Notices resembling genuine TFL indicators dangle above the viewers, besides they reference Lewis Carroll’s world, with one assertively stating “Jabberwocky is always watching”. Some of the Tube carriage seats have secret compartments and there are entice doorways in probably the most unlikely locations. The actors traverse alongside the stage, utilizing all of the area and guaranteeing everybody can see the motion. The solely draw back is the cramped seats. Brixton House manages to emulate the Tube expertise a bit too nicely: the viewers are packed in like commuters in rush hour. And for one hour and forty minutes, it’s a really uncomfortable expertise.
The characters, nonetheless, should not what you anticipate. Rather than the March Hare, the Mad Hatter and the Dormouse at a tea celebration, there may be Pigeon (Khai Shaw), Rat (Rosa Garland) and Nose (Will Spence) at a coup assembly. The chief of the gang is Tube driver, Chatter (Toyin Ayedun-Alase), who’s determined to regain management of the ceaseless prepare and explains a number of schemes by rapping. Throughout the play, Alice is launched to increasingly weird characters, nevertheless it wasn’t till the interval that I realised that this manufacturing solely has a forged of 5 and the actors are doubling-up – typically tripling-up – as different characters. The numerous costumes and accents positively fooled me!
Favourites of mine are the Rabbit and Hammersmith, each performed by the humorous Shaw. Rabbit’s anxious vitality is channelled into being an overworked worker. It is satisfying to see his journey from being reluctant to take annual depart, to speaking about unions and organising strikes. Hammersmith, because the identify suggests, carries a big hammer. Designed by Debbie Duru, his costume exaggerates his shoulders a lot he seems to be like he’s from Minecraft. Shaw performs Hammersmith with a really high-pitched voice, which had the viewers in stitches, significantly when he threatened violence.
The spotlight, although, is the Jabberwocky. Emerging from behind a veil of smoke with simply pink torches as eyes, it’s easy however extraordinarily efficient. In one scene when looking for Alice, the pink lights shine on the viewers creating an eerie impact. The Queen of the Line’s directions “see it, slay it, sort it” emphasise Alice’s impending hazard.
When Alice and The Queen of the Line come head-to-head, a big platform slowly lowers down from the ceiling and the 2 battle on it. This thrilling sequence is nice enjoyable to look at, even when a bit of clunky. The dialogue that follows exhibits Phiri and Ayedun–Alase’s vary as they cowl critical matters in a genuinely transferring manner.
Although the Tube station puns are relentless (there are 102 of them), this can be a excellent present for all ages. With a heat fuzzy ending, which is to be anticipated round Christmas time, author Jack Bradfield’s Alice in Wonderland highlights the significance of neighborhood spirit proper within the coronary heart of Brixton. Going again residence on the Victoria line felt bizarre although; I half anticipated myself to fall right into a Wonderland too.
Director and Lead Writer: Jack Bradfield
Lyricist and Rapperturg: Gerel Falconer
Costume Designer: Debbie Duru
Set Designer: Shankho Chaudhuri
Alice In Wonderland performs at Brixton House till 31 December. Further data and bookings may be discovered right here.