Down the rabbit hole and through the looking-glass

August 7, 2014

by Sean Fitzpatrick

Week-34---aug-19-two-alices---story — Left: *Alice Through the Looking-Glass*, Natasha Greenblatt as Alice. Right: Jillian Vanstone in *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland*. © Photos: David Krovblit, Cylla von Tiedemann

Alice web story — Piotr Stanczyk, Kevin D. Bowles, Tanya Howard and Heather Ogden in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (The National Ballet of Canada) © Photo: Bruce Zinger

Et alice blog976x608 (2) — Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Lois Anderson as The White Queen, Natasha Greenblatt as Alice. © Photo: David Krovblit

“No, no! The adventures first… explanations take such a dreadful time.”
– The Gryphon in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

There’s something about young Alice that has been inspiring artists and creators since 1865 when Lewis Carroll first told her tales in his classic novels, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the 1871 sequel, Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Perhaps what has been most compelling is that irresistible idea of a child finding a portal to a whimsical world where imagination rules.

The first publication of Carroll’s story celebrates its 150^th anniversary in 2015 and this season the National Arts Centre will showcase Alice’s wildly imaginative universe in not one, but two productions, as envisioned by some of our most talented creators.

The Magic begins in December (and in time for the holidays), as the NAC English Theatre, under the guidance of Artistic Director Jillian Keiley and celebrated designer Bretta Gerecke, and featuring the 2014-15 Ensemble, present Alice Through the Looking-Glass. Produced in association with the Stratford Festival, this adventure is an eye popping production and fantastical journey that includes all the extraordinary characters: rival queens, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Humpty Dumpty, the White Knight and many others.

Then in April, NAC Dance presents Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a glorious ballet treatment by British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon from The National Ballet of Canada. This visually dazzling pop extravaganza is wildly inventive and outrageously entertaining. The production features stunning sets and costumes and is set to an energetic, riveting score performed by the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

You won’t want to miss Alice this season.

Alice Through the Looking-Glass is presented by Trinity Development Group as part of Share the Spirit, presented by Sun Life Financial. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is made possible with support from Jerry and Joan Lozinski and The Honourable Margaret McCain, C.C., and with accommodation provided by Hotel Partner The Lord Elgin.

Click here to check out Alice’s Adventures at the Capital Pride Parade