REVIEW: Alice in Wonderland is a soup-er way to spend an evening

Alice in Wonderland is a visual feast, a colourful cartoon come to life, and full of songs about friendship (and soup!) writes GREG LAMBERT.

This year's annual Play in the Park by The Dukes is a sheer delight, bringing the classic Lewis Carroll characters to life in a non-stop barrage of over-the-top silliness, audience interaction and fun for all ages.

The versatility of the small cast of actors at the annual outdoor play in Lancaster's Williamson Park never ceases to amaze and impress. This year they each seem to take on more roles, and rapid costume changes, than ever before.

There are also lovely touches including clues to follow as the audience moves around the beautiful park from scene-to-scene, with the White Rabbit (Megan Hickie) acting as your tour guide.

The action begins as our protagonist Alice, played likeably and relatably by Eve Pereira, struggles to fit in among the bullying kids and overbearing teacher on a Famous Five-style camping trip.

Alice (pictured below with The Mad Hatter, Katie Ball) eventually rebels and ends up in Wonderland, trying to save her only friend from the fearsome Jabberwocky!

Expect cameos from the infamous Cheshire Cat (Helen Longworth) and Tweedledum and Tweedledee (Kira Hayes and Katie Ball), and even a groovy caterpillar (Ross Telfer) who could have been plucked straight from the Hanna Barbera cartoons of the swinging late '60s.

My favourite scene comes when Alice then stumbles across the Tea Bar, home of the pompous Duchess (Helen Longworth), her baby, her sister the Cook (Kira Hayes) and the poor put-upon Mock Turtle (Ross Telfer).

Much hilarity, and deliberately bad singing, ensues. And you will not get 'The Soup Song' out of your head. I am still struggling to shift it, several weeks on.

After the interval, the action arrives at the Ashton Memorial for the Mad Hatter's Tea Party.

This is an explosion of colour, chaos, and elements of panto, once again culminating in a rousing singalong with the Dormouse (Ross Telfer) front and centre. And the kids in the front row REALLY got into their heckling of the baddie Queen of Hearts (Helen Longworth)!

The good vs evil battle culminates near the steps of the Memorial as Alice has a showdown with the Queen in a game of croquet with remote-controlled hedgehogs and flamingo mallets, of all things. Then the Jabberwocky appears! As Play in the Park puppet monsters go, it's legtimately scary, too. 

I won't spoil the ending but safe to say it will send you away feeling warm and fuzzy, and still singing that pesky Soup Song whether you like it or not.

Alice in Wonderland continues nightly (except Mondays) at Williamson Park until August 25. Performances are at 7.15pm.

(My advice, take a folding chair! My wife and I say it every year, yet we always forget and instead put up with sitting on logs and the Memorial steps which can be tough on the old posterior!)

Book now at The Dukes box office by calling 01524 598500 or book HERE.

Read more: INTERVIEW: Lancaster walkabout 'play in the park' Alice in Wonderland set for '60s vibe - Beyond Radio