Alice

We went to see "Alice through the Looking Glass" at the Tobacco Factory theatre last night. For the first time in a year, we went with both children. Children? Later this week, we won't have any teenagers left, and I will be desolate. No matter.

The production was superb, with only five actors playing may parts. The scenery and set was minimal but effective, with a back-projected screen taking the part of the mirror and depth of scenery. Highlights included the scene in which Alice climbs through the mirror at the start of the play, which was so effective that the hairs on the back of my neck started to rise with the spookiness of it all. Tweedledum and Tweedledee were interesting. Usually they are thought of as typical fat boys, objects of derision or humour, but here they were played as frightening idiots, scarily unsocialised. And all the voices were good, more than good, but the Red Queen's singing was wonderful. The costumes played a big part in making this unreal world seem consistent. For the most part, they matched the Tenniel illustrations from the original books, made beautifully but grotesquely appropriate to the chess pieces and flowers which were depicted.

We should go to the theatre more often.


:-)