ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Until Saturday, January 10

AT one stage in this dizzying performance, star of the show Alice proclaimed the wonderland she has been drawn into is “absolutely bonkers” – and who can disagree?

Director Elizabeth Newman and playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm had their work cut out when transforming Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s story into a show to grace the in-the-round Octagon stage, but the cast and crew attended to every detail and got things just right.

From the moment the younger members of the audience entered the performance space, the seven-strong cast talked to them, sharing stories, artwork and even tips on Egyptian hieroglyphics, before the show had even started.

The story begins with Alice (played by Sarah Vezmar) in her school classroom - desperate to be the one whom teacher Mr Lewis (Offue Okegbe) chooses to take the rabbit home for the holidays.

And when her lack of self confidence comes charging out, it is the rabbit (Barbara Hockaday) who takes Alice on an epic journey through a magical land of realisation.

Between them, Newman, Malcolm and their colleagues, who include a movement director, a musical director and even an aerial hoop director (for the rabbit hole, you understand...), thought of everything.

The cast spent almost the entire 90-minute show charging about the stage, adjusting costumes, playing musical instruments, singing and dancing – and the kids in the crowd absolutely loved it.

After the interval, we were treated to a witty sideshow courtesy of rappers Dee and Dum (Jack Quarton and Russell Morton) and then there was a run in with the frightening Red Queen (Emily Butterfield).

Particularly impressive were Butterfield, who seemed to captivate the audience with her well-projected portrayals of Lucy and the Red Queen and Vezmar, who will be fit enough to run a marathon by the time this run ends, such is the mileage she clocks up on stage.

What I liked most, though, was how, in this version of the tale, Alice has a reason for her quest, which keeps children on the edge of their seats throughout and also teaches them a very valuable lessons by the time the show is over – a satisfying result for kids and parents alike.