Review: The Australian Ballet Brings Christopher Wheeldon's Utterly Enchanting ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND To Sydney.

Sumptuous costumes and inventive sets entice a new generation down the rabbit hole and into ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND with The Australian Ballet. Christopher Wheeldon's captivating production, with music by Joby Talbot, first commissioned and performed by The Royal Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada, has come to entrance Sydney audiences in The Australian Ballet and The National Ballet of Japan's co-production.

Refreshingly, Wheeldon opts to start his expression of the story from Carroll's initial creation of the ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, entertaining the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University and Dean of Christ Church Henry Liddell's daughters Lorina, Alice and Edith in 1962. The gathered guests at Liddle's Garden Party hold clues to the characters that fill out the following story as Alice is drawn into Carroll's story with some fabulous projections and puppetry. Set and Costume Designer Bob Crowley provides a subtle reminder that the work is lifted from the pages of the famous book as the set is the book, open to possibly one of the most memorable moments, Chapter 7, A Mad Tea- Party. Whilst the Liddell's Garden Party, in the shadow of the country manor house, is presented in a relatively traditional styling, Crowley's Wonderland is inspired by motifs that would have featured in young Alice's life growing up in Victorian England, utilising parts of the original illustrations along with Sampler tapestry and scrapbooking images. He ensures the transition from reality to fantasy is clear as the formality of English society makes way for colourful costumes, crisp bright sets and elegant expressions of anthropomorphised animals and larger than life people with the Mad Hatter, Caterpillar and the Queen Of Hearts being stand out creations.

Wheeldon is wonderfully inventive in his methods of bringing the whimsical story to the stage. His use of forced perspective with the aide of Jon Driscoll and Gemma Carrington's projections and fun house spaces is inspired. He has ensured that the finest detail is clear but not overplayed, from the Dormouse's (Luke Marchant) narcolepsy to the Lewis Carroll and the White Rabbit's (Adam Bull) twitch whilst having repeated themes like the Mother and Queen of Hearts (Amy Harris) sinister signals. Utilising Talbot's beautiful score, which draws on many influences, the story is clear and passionate. Talbot has incorporated the ticking of the clock throughout whilst ensuring that it sits as a subtle chime behind the music that ranges from frenzied to whimsical and romantic to intense and passionate, all recreated under Nicollette Fraillon's careful guidance.

As protagonist Alice, Ako Kondo captures the young girls inquisitive and caring nature and handles Wheeldon's added storyline of Alice forming an attachment to servant Jack and the Knave of Hearts (Ty King-Wall). She delivers a passionate performance with a grace and precision in her dancing and an expressive acting skill that doesn't overplay the emotion but ensures that there is an honesty to her expressions. As her guide through Wonderland, Adam Bull presents the White Rabbit, aka Lewis Carroll with a nervousness but also a degree of control as a respected member of the Queen of Hearts' court. As Alice's love interest Jack and The Knave of Hearts, Ty King-Wall presents a lovely match to Kondo's Alice, delivering an innocence and somewhat bewildered temperament as the wrongly accused servant.

Amy Harris is stunning as the Queen of Hearts, delivering a deliciously fierce performance from high atop her mobile throne and intimidating her footmen in a brilliant piece of slapstick vaudeville physicality. Kevin Jackson as the Mad Hatter presents some frenetic tapping and Jarryd Madden exhibits an extraordinarily lithe caterpillar. Ben Davis captures the pantomime element of the over the top Duchess and Steven Heathcote presents an emasculated King with a fabulous pathetic submission.

This production of ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND is a definite must see for all audiences, whether a fan of the book, a ballet fan or new to the genre or the story, it will not disappoint. Secure a ticket to fall down the rabbit hole and be enchanted by the blend of ballet, new music, colourful costumes and a touch of magic and treat yourself.

ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND

Capitol Theatre

5 December - 22 December 2017

Image: Ako Kondo as Alice. Photo Daniel Boud

To post a comment, you must register and login.