In the clouds above Lincoln Rd Lewis Carroll smiles over the Court Theatre, enjoying how Dan Allan (Uncle Lewis), Rhiannon McCall (Alice) and Patrick Carroll (Jimmie) honour – each in their inimitable way – his timeless tale.

Engagement begins before entering the theatre. Tables with crayons and a poster to colour are provided in the foyer. What an imaginative greeting for a child who has come to experience a live-stage performance. The audience is mostly mothers, fathers, grandparents and youngsters (up to nine years of age). 

This interactive show with strong pantomime elements gets a leg-up from the start (you have to be there to appreciate this) and doesn’t let up for the full hour. Uncle Lewis engages the audience in the first sixty seconds and each of these committed performers keeps us hooked until the final minute. The audience are willing participants, especially the brother and sister who volunteer for cameo roles. I find myself changing seats, ducking water pistols, and reaching out for bubbles. 

The set is a rich assemblage of Napoleonic décor, horse-heads, crates, suitcases, shields, heraldry, prams, armchairs, drums and lamp-shades, overseen by what looks like a nineteenth century portrait of a hussar and two glittering chandeliers. 

All three players work beautifully together and each has their moments: Jimmie as the Queen of Tarts, Alice in the trial scene, and Uncle Lewis as the largest caterpillar ever to glide across a stage blowing bubbles down twenty metres of undulating torso. Colourful accents, great lighting, comical sound effects, a Cheshire Cat with fur-balls, all the magic of Wonderland offered with perfect theatrical timing – such generous energy and playful delight. 

The props always keep finding new ways to express themselves. If you’ve never experienced the Mountain of Squawky Birds, the Forest of Itchy Monkeys, the Cave of Snoring Bears or the Glacier of Giggly Penguins, then come and enjoy Alice in Wonderland in the Attic at the Court Theatre.

The magnanimous players stand in the foyer to bid the children farewell. This is a splendid children’s theatre production. 

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