Young cast stayed true to spirit of the original text (From Salisbury Journal)

Young cast stayed true to spirit of the original text

10:18am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Entertainments

ALICE IN WONDERLAND, STUDIO YOUTH THEATRE, ASHLEY ROAD, SALISBURY

PART fairy tale, part fantasy, Lewis Carroll’s magical children’s story has delighted young and old alike since it was first written in 1865. Jill Redston’s adaptation for the young actors of Studio Youth Theatre, thankfully stayed true to the spirit of the original text, after all why change such delightful nonsense as: “No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise”?

The young cast were clearly enjoying themselves. Hannah Bishop was perfect as the heroine Alice, looking suitably baffled at her unusual encounters with packs of cards, puzzled by her pool of tears and old beyond her years in the wonderful trial scene, which was also very funny. But then so were all the cast and there were so many memorable performances.

Monaya Abel’s grinning Cheshire Cat took on an air of sinister menace blown up on a huge video screen, quite masterly. Teddy Woolgrove’s delightful tap dancing Mad Hatter, Charlotte Lewis’ charming portrayal of the Mouse and Robben Sherburne as a memorable and rather sad Mock Turtle. And who would not be scared by Zoe Ashcroft’s Queen of Hearts who delighted in demanding everyone’s head to be chopped off ?

Costumes were inventive and fantastical, such as the quite glamorous gold eyelashes worn by the Duchess, and the songs helped to make this a wonderful ensemble production. Well done to director Ann Acton and all her backstage team.

Anne Morris

* Studio Youth Theatre is open to 11 to 18 year olds and meets on Saturday mornings for acting workshops and games. Anyone interested in joining can contact syt@studioyouththeatre.org.uk for an application form.