“Jam tomorrow and jam yesterday-but never jam today.”

Swept along on the crest of Year 6 exuberance last night, it’s hard to come back to reality. What a wonderful piece of music-theatre, allowing so many opportunities for different girls to shine. Transitions from one ‘Alice’ to the next were seamlessly managed, and it was fun to see what each new personality brought to the role. Sitting at floor level we were enveloped in entrances and exits, thrillingly close to the “One, Two, Hup!” of the fierce Red Knights, and the Royal processions reversing on and off stage. The crimson-red and white chessboard proved an irresistible focal point and in the intimate staging of the Prissian Theatre we were close enough almost to move the pawns and other pieces into position ourselves.

Costumes? They were superb, brilliantly effective in their simplicity. I could almost smell the flowers which nodded gracefully in rows; the parents who made the flowers’ and Knights’ headdresses should give up their day-jobs. After all these years, Carroll’s  quirky humour still engages. "We can talk," said the Tiger-lily: "when there's anybody worth talking to." I loved the Mad Hatter with his witty accessories and the eccentric enthusiasm of the White Knight for his crazy inventions – winter warmers for ducks and an underwater scarecrow – and the beaming twin Tweedles with their literal approach to life. Humpty Dumpty’s peevish scrutiny of Alice and terrible pun-making was hilarious. "When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less." Quite right that getting him back on his wall produced a great cheer from the audience.

Well done to the directors, Mrs Diana Marsh and Mrs Lynne Clark, the Musical Director, Mr Vincent Spencer and all the performers.  “I am living backwards, said Alice. “Shut your eyes and you find that lots of impossible things happen.” Thank you to Year 6 for opening the dream-box and releasing this warm-hearted, charming piece.

Alison Venn

8 June 2011