ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Two-act pantomime. Presented by Milnerton and Pinelands Players. Milnerton Playhouse.
SHEILA CHISHOLM reviews
Writing a pantomime allows for poetic licence when “borrowing” characters from a famous 19th century child’s story. In this case it’s writer Ben Crocker, who has taken characters from Charles Dogson’s – a la Lewis Carroll – Alice in Wonderland.
In the hands of super-talented director Kyla Thorburn, knowledgeable musical director Barend van der Westhuizen, and a multi-accomplished cast, the net result adds up to a highly polished, delightful, (if a trifle long) show.
Thorburn and Van der Westhuizen make a grand team. Her movement variety matched his popular musical choices, as the cast amusingly wove Alice’s Wonderland adventures.
As for Morag Tison’s costume coordination, they were absolutely marvellous, as was Luella Holland’s make-up, Robyn Law’s lighting, and follow spot operators Jessica May and Sebastian Harel.
Shayni Pappin-Davidson and Nicola de Jager are congratulated for pitching their choreography just at the right level to match the cast’s abilities.
And what about the story-line and the portraits?
Larger than life
Firstly, it helps to know the background to the original story. However, this is a pantomime (a musical comedy based on a child’s tale), so the characters tend to be larger than life portraits.
For instance … take the Right Royal Red Queen (Lyle Wilson). He/She fits perfectly into the bullying Queen role. (And if perhaps his mouth mic was a trifle screechy, that can be resolved.) Naturally tall, he strikes an imposing figure using his long dress to enhance the character.
Regina Malan as Wrong Royal Red Queen, is gifted with using her beautiful voice and mime to act out this part.
As Alice, Maxine Butler, dressed in story-book-blue-dress, apron, and with flowing blonde locks, played her part to a T.
A clever move introduced Harry, from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter Stories, and “borrowing” Tweedledee (Lisa Pillay) and Tweedledum (Adam Osrin) from Alice Through the Looking Glass. They added much spice and fun to the action. As did Fiona Tanner as Mrs Wrong Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat and the March Hare.
And of course, Alice’s Wonderland has to have an always late and twitchy White Rabbit (Nicole Barends), and a crazy, harlequinesque Mad Hatter (Kim R2).
Add into that mix seven singing/dancing chorus members, Luke Pillay/Quaid Holton as Jabberwocky, Chloe Merven/Brynnley Holton as Little Alic, plus seven young flowers, and you’ll have great fun visiting this Alice in Wonderland.
What: Alice in Wonderland
Where and when: Milnerton Playhouse until until 14 December 2025
Tickets: Book here
WS
