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| Alice & Knave of Hearts Pas de Deux Jessica Hill, Joseph Mackie Graves Alice in Wonderland - Ballet Theatre UK |
A huge congratulations to Christopher Moore and the whole company and their latest instalment, Alice in Wonderland. Following in the companies style of classical ballet mixed with theatre and story telling, this production promises to offer a perfect night out for the whole family you will not forget.
Taking inspiration from both Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass, this tale follows Alice's journey from her home into a land of fantasy. Hailed as a four star success by WhatsonStage and "A ballet brimming with colour, wit and spectacle to charm all ages" by The Blackpool Gazette, this production seems to be one not to miss!
Full Article for both reviews below;
WhatsonStage - Review
Date Reviewed:
Creating a new ballet based on a well-loved story is never going to be an easy task; there are so many different elements involved. Ballet Theatre UK's director Christopher Moore as chosen Lewis Caroll's Alice in Wonderland for his new touring production aimed at family audiences. It works splendidly, thanks to excellent design (Daniel Hope and Moore himself) and some good performances by its young cast.
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| Card Waltz Alice in Wonderland - Ballet Theatre UK |
Vincent Cabot is the most suave of Cowardesque caterpillars and Helena Casado Cortes a Cheshire Cat with very sharp claws. Act Two introduces us to the Mad Hatter's tea party with its perambulating tables (squared-off gingham tutus). Joseph Mackie Graves was the limber Mad Hatter at the performance I saw, with Natalie Cawte as the tip-toeing Dormouse and Luca Varone as the March Hare.
Once Alice reaches the realm of the icy Queen of Hearts, Jessica Hill, with its scandal-mongering roses, her fledgling romance with David Brewer's Knave of Hearts is imperilled by the luscious tarts that he has fed to her rather than to his Queen and she has to effect his rescue by shattering and scattering the cards of her waking dream. With Simon Paterson's eclectic score derived from some familiar and other less obvious tunes, this is an excellent introduction to classical ballet for young people. What's more, their elders could enjoy its visual wit even more.
Blackpool Gazette - Review
There is nothing better for an Easter Sunday afternoon than a traditional tale to keep all the family enthralled - and Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic always fits the bill.
But this was an Alice with a difference - on the ballet stage and brimming with colour, wit and spectacle to charm all ages.
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| Alice in the Flower Garden Alice - Jessica Hill Alice in Wonderland - Ballet Theatre UK |
It was refreshing to find a ballet which appeals to youngsters who have perhaps outgrown Angelina Ballerina but are not yet ready to sit through a full-scale production of the likes of Swan Lake or The Nutcracker.
This delightful production by Ballet Theatre UK, set to music by Tchaikovsky arranged by Simon Paterson, ticked all the boxes in terms of family entertainment.
It was packed with impressive performances, led by Jessica Hill as Alice and all the favourite characters were there, from the Queen and Knave of Hearts, to the Mad Hatter and March Hare, White Rabbit and an imaginatively-portrayed Caterpillar.
The colourful costumes, the highlights of which included a quartet of dancers dressed as fully-laden tables for the tea party scene, were memorable throughout and Christopher Moore’s direction was eye-catchingly spectacular yet in many ways minimalist at the same time.
The company even seamlessly overcame a breakdown in the sound system soon after the interval to take the entertainment to new levels as the second act progressed.
All in all, an ideal blend of the modern and the traditional - and a delightful way for a family to spend a Bank Holiday weekend afternoon.
Next stop for the tour....
Sat 6th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm - The Lights, Andover - 01264 368368
Sun 7th at 2.30pm & 6.00pm - Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury - 01635 244246
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