Alice and the Velvetty Teacup (reviews)

From Urban Press

Flow Bar, Hamilton, 2008

Written by Katie Clarke, David Foote and Ross MacLeod. Music by Jeremy Mayall. Directed by Katie Clarke.

Urban Vineyard’s production based on the tale of Alice in Wonderland is brimful of talent.

The witty writing, by Katie Clarke, David Foote and Ross MacLeod, is subtitled a burlesque. The audience certainly knows that they are giving that genre a burl! There are elements of music hall, strip club and even a limerick competition between the March Hare and the Mad Hatter. And, given the promise of louche content, why should we be surprised when the Queen of Tarts calls “Off with her skirts!”

The cast is well matched to the Carrollesque parts- Lucy Gardner is perfectly proper and cross as Alice taking another trip to Wonderland as she is about to marry. But this is an R18 Wonderland, full of wonder lust- and she spends most of her time fending off randy playboy bunnies (Renata Mϋeller) and gyrating Cheshire cats. Better lighting would have enhanced the charming Doormouse in the velvet cup scene.

David Foote, Ross MacLeod, Matt Scheurich and Stephanie Christian are all very funny and loud enough to speak over the rather noisy air-conditioning and patrons at Flow bar (which, otherwise, is a great choice of venue). Special mention goes to Professor Tortoise (Jeremy Mayall) and his Oyster Bed Band- and the Cheeky tarts who were sweet rather than raunchy.

Picturesque costumes and Victorianesque language make for a clever erotesque esquapade. What fun and well done!

Unpublished review by Waikato Times reviewer Gail Pittaway, date:04-12-2008

Though this show was unpublished Gail later selected Alice as one of her top shows of 2008 (Waikato Times, 22-12-2008)