Oxford Musical CLD - THE REAL LEWIS CARROLL Tells The Story of Alice's Creator

CLD - THE REAL LEWIS CARROLL tells the story of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (CLD), the shy young mathematician at Christ Church College who wrote the 'Alice' books as Lewis Carroll. This ultimate Oxford musical, which runs at St Columba's United Reformed Church from Thursday 14th July to Saturday 6th August, uses his absurd 'Alice' characters, text and songs to reveal the tragic story of his love affair with Lorina Liddell - Alice's mother in real life.

Book and Lyrics are by Jane Bramwell, featuring characters and text by Lewis Carroll, and Music by Michael Brand. David Kettle directs, Greg Arrowsmith is Musical Director, and Producer is Oxford Music Theatre. Lorina Liddell is played by Emily Louise Tomlins, Charles Dodgson by Stewart Briggs, Lewis Carroll by Peter Watts, Henry Liddell by Allan Scott Douglas, and the ensemble features Carolina Gregory, Vikki Lyons, Josh Capper, Carlo Pavan and Jamie Sheasby.

Set between 1855 and 1865, this new and exciting musical reveals the relationships between the young bachelor CLD and the Liddell family. Although CLD was a cleric, and therefore required to remain single and celibate, he fell in love with Lorina Liddell. Henry Liddell was a cold and unsympathetic husband and father who initially turned a blind eye to his wife's affair as he himself enjoyed a close relationship with Arthur Stanley, a senior member of Christ Church. Meanwhile CLD enchanted Liddell's daughters with his stories and was treated as a member of the family.

All this changed when Lorina became pregnant by CLD and Arthur Stanley married. CLD was threatened with expulsion from Christ Church. Liddell finally decreed that CLD could stay on condition that he never had contact with his family again. CLD suffered a nervous breakdown and never recovered emotionally from these tragic events.

Writer Jane Bramwell comments: "I have been an 'Alice in Wonderland' fan since I was first given the book at the age of eight. When I read more about Carroll, the person who actually interested me was Charles Dodgson. Here, I have tried to write something funny and dramatic which will take the audience back to Carroll again, and prompt them to examine the questions about the real man which so intrigue me."

2015 was the 150th anniversary celebrations of the publication of Alice in Wonderland. A year on, this musical re-opens the Alice doors and explores CLD's life anew.

Performance Dates: Thursday 14th July - Saturday 6th August 2016, Wednesday to Saturday, 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees, 4.15pm, Friday 15th July, 7pm

Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes with interval

Location: St Columba's United Reformed Church, Alfred Street, Oxford, OX1 4EH. Alfred Street can be found off the High Street. It is an 18 minute walk from Oxford station.

Tickets are available from on 01864 305305 or online at www.ticketsoxford.com. Tickets are priced at £17.50 (£15.50). Tickets can be purchased in person at the Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW

Below watch highlights from CLD - THE REAL LEWIS CARROLL

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