IS IT wise to wish you could change your life, leave all behind and become the person you really believe you are? Very tempting but what happens if it doesn’t work out and you want to return to the status quo?
In the Grand Opera House this week you’ll see a very fine example of a mother, her daughter and the upstairs neighbour being granted their wish when the White Rabbit (Dave Willetts) appears and transports them down the rabbit hole into Wonderland.
There are all the characters so familiar to childhood, the Queen of Hearts (Wendi Peters) Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Dormouse, the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat and more. But to become who they really want to be Alice (Kerry Ellis), Ellie (Naomi Morris) and Jack (Stephen Webb) have to pass through the Looking Glass and that changes everything.
Alice forgets her worst day when her car was stolen, she lost her job; her husband, Jack becomes the handsome lover he always thought he was and Ellie – well, she just becomes an obnoxious teenager.
But they are also catapulted into the politics of Wonderland, the vicious power play between the Queen of Hearts shouting "Off with their heads" between bites of jam tarts and the moody Mad Hatter (Natalie McQueen). Can Alice act as the James Brokenshire of the situation and bring harmony and a good working relationship?
This is a bright, breezy, colourful evening of entertainment, a real escape for the audience from our humdrum everyday life and perfect for children – and I think Lewis Carroll would be pleased with this modern version of his story.
The set is stunning, the rabbit hole just goes on and on into the distance and the Looking Glass is magical. The cast, two dozen energetic actors, fill the stage and the musical director Alex Parker conducts the orchestra with great enthusiasm.
But can you run away from who you really are? Did the three adventurers decide to stay in Wonderland or return home, wiser and happier?
See for yourself at the Grand Opera House Belfast until Saturday. Details and booking: www.goh.co.uk
