Wonderland

Just back from seeing this in Oxford, and I enjoyed it (and would recommend it to others) but it definitely has its flaws.

First off, the good aspects: I really liked the music, and thought that the score was pretty strong throughout with a couple of stand-out numbers. I also really liked the set and costume design (although the set itself was a bit clunky at times) - I thought they fitted perfectly with the Wonderland setting. The most impressive aspect of the show for me though was the cast - firstly, for keeping the energy up despite playing to an auditorium that was almost empty (I reckon there can't have been more than about 60 people throughout the Stalls and Dress Circle, and the Balcony was closed) and secondly for doing such a good job with the characters, from the leads right down to the ensemble parts.

Unsurprisingly, the people who really impressed me were Natalie McQueen, Wendi Peters and Rachael Wooding. Natalie in particular was perfection - vocally brilliant, and absolutely nailed the characterisation. The same can be said of Wendi Peters, again wonderful characterisation and a really good voice. Both of them brought out their characters' quirks fantastically, making them believable and avoiding going over the top. Rachael Wooding was also very impressive vocally, and acted well, but I felt she was slightly going through the paces tonight. That may be a product of the empty house and the pretty dreadful book, though.

Speaking of which, the book is dire. In places I found it completely unbelievable that characters would be saying their lines, and it was so cheesy (particularly towards the end) that I just couldn't take the characters seriously sometimes because of the nonsense coming out of their mouths. I'm probably being overly critical, but I think that if the script was less cheesy and tried to take itself a bit more seriously then the show would be massively improved. My only other real complaint was the sound - I was sat in the front row of the circle, and while the volume was pretty much perfect, the balance was pretty dodgy. The band and ensemble were fine, but as soon as a soloist started to sing on top of them they got lost pretty easily. There were also a few missed mic cues at the start of the show, if i'm being really picky about sound.

So there you go. I hope this wasn't too long or too harsh, but those are my thoughts. In conclusion: a brilliant production of a pretty mediocre show that would be miles better with an overhauled book.

The rear stalls was probably fuller than it sounded, but either way it felt like a ghost town in that auditorium.

How do people get all these free tickets?

Wish someone would give me some!

You would think so - but it is a venue that is very difficult to make work. A decent sound designer should be aware of this and make adjustments to suit - but clearly not. Very rarely does a touring show get it right in Oxford.

I know from my time directing there that you have to take a decision early on as to whether you are going to open the upper circle - as you need a lot more equipment to get good sound right up at the top.

Booked to see this on Friday in Oxford and am going to try and watch with as much of an open mind as I can following your comments!

Sitting in the front row of the (currently still very full) circle. Tickets were 2for1 on ATG with my ATG theatre card so paid around £14 each...lucky me!

The only other time I've seen an almost audience-less show at the New Theatre was a performance of The Sound of Music UK Tour in September last year. Such a shame for the cast to be performing to empty seats 😐 However, the Cats UK Tour packed out the same theatre weeks later...odd!

I went again last night to see Rachael as Alice (very good, although I slightly preferred Kerry I think). I thought the sound was better than it was in Birmingham, although still not brilliant - I seriously don't understand why they're having so many issues.

There's now a fountain made of books in the Love Begins scene that wasn't there in Brum ... has it been there at any other venues (so just didn't fit for whatever reason) or is it new? Either way, I'm glad to see it added. Also, the boss who fires Alice at the start is now played by the Queen rather than the Hatter. So they're still tweaking things - if only they'd do something about the "everyone squeeze in front of the block of flats curtain" opening number.

The audience wasn't as empty as I expected from comments on here, but certainly a long way from full, and very quiet. It's the only time I've heard the gutless half-man rant get no reaction.

How odd. I guess the stage at the New Alex must be less deep or something.

I think the problem with Oxford for this production it going to Milton Keynes, Wimbledon, Woking and Richmond which are all very near London. I'm heading to Richmond for it

I was tempted to go to York to see Rachel as she said she was doing the matinee. I contacted Wonderland HQ since and they said Michelle is doing it.

Who to believe?!

If they can't communicate clearly between them whose doing the show when then they're in trouble as fans will not take a chance and book, I know I won't.

if someone has more of a desire to see a particular person more than the show itself, why not let them decide how to spend their money and see the show subject to that person being on?

Normally I'd agree with you but I have already seen the show three times and would like to see it again with a different lead so I can compare performances.

This show is not your standard one cast fits all as three different people play Alice at different times and different venues.

I'm sorry if that's what you saw (and I do agree about the hair tucking, although during One Knight at least I did feel like it was in character), and you're obviously not the only person to feel that from the comments here, but it's not what I saw so I figured I'd put my version out there.  (Not saying your opinion isn't valid, just sharing mine, before anyone jumps on me).

I saw very little of Alice just looking on (with Kerry, at least - Rachael was a little more of an onlooker).  She dances with and reacts to the ensemble throughout the first few scenes in Wonderland, alternates between fangirling and trying to keep her daughter away from the "boyband" during One Knight, has a discussion with Ellie across the table about the cake during the Tea Party, and one with Jack standing beside her, worries about Ellie with Jack reassuring her then tries to talk sense into her during The Mad Hatter, and chickens out of going through the looking glass several times before she finally does it.  And that's just the first act.

I agree with the people saying there's not a massive amount of emotional height in the plot itself - there isn't.  For me, when I saw the show in Brum, that came from watching Alice's changing relationships with Ellie and Jack, and herself, and most of that is in the details and not so much in the script.  If that's not there, the show as a whole really suffers.