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Alice in Wonderland, Castle Players, Lytchett Matravers Village Hall

IT was a chilly evening at the end of a very busy week, and I really did not want to be anywhere other than at home. However, needs must, and my trip to Wonderland proved a pleasure indeed. There was simply nothing I could fault, from the superb lighting effects, lovely set and gorgeous costumes to the catchy songs, great dancing and a cast who all looked as though they were having as good a time as we were.

As with several other pantos I have seen this season, this was the traditional story with a twist, and it worked a treat. Alice (Katie Alner) was a joy, as was her handsome Prince Valentino (Kim Burdon), whilst we had a couple of smashing baddies in the form of the Queen of Hearts (Alan Colclough) and Princess Incontinenta (Linsey O’Neill). Val Thomas and Ellie Cowley shone as Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee, and Chris Bunn was a most effective Dame.

There were lovely performances too from Phil McMullen (Billy), Patrick D’Ardenne (Ernest), Nicola Dorrell (Cheshire Cat) and especially Darren Taylor (White Rabbit). And youngsters Aidan O’Neill, Adam Dent and David Brown brought the house down as Mad Hatter, March Hare and Dormouse.

The show is repeated next weekend – catch it if you can.

Linda Kirkman

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