Alice

June 2011 – The Cheriton Players’ first ever outdoor production (unless you count Gosforth’s Fete in 2000, part of the Millennium celebrations and which took place in a marquee on the village green). This half century celebratory show was performed against the beautiful backdrop of Cheriton Cottage as the lovely gardens there hosted the stage and audience. The Players reprised the version of Alice originally written for the Maskers Theatre Company by Jennifer Bartel with original music by Neil Sands, with helpful input from both.

Based on the original books by Lewis Carroll, this version included many new variations including a very irreverent double act in the form of the Mad Hatter and March Hare, plus the Lion from The Wizard of Oz that has found his way into the wrong show. With a cast of over 20, some playing two characters apiece, Aliceprovided a challenge for everyone not least because it rained on and off for four of the five performances.

But we survived it, the audience loved it and it broke new ground for us.

Director – Pauline Cornter
Producer – David Cradduck
Production Manager – Graham Arnott
Stage Manager – Paul Hellard

The Cast
Alice – Henrietta Tyler
Bess/White Knight – Isobel Bartholomew
Red Queen – Jenni Watson
White Queen – Helena Gomm
White King/Caterpillar – Stewart Forsyth
Red Bishop/Tweedledee – David Bartholomew
White Bishop/Tweedledum – Ian Monier-Williams
Red Rook/Lion – Charlie Hellard
White Rook/Unicorn – Sarah Johnson
Lily/pawn/playing card – Lauren Anderson
Pawn/playing card – Jo Bartholomew
Pawn/paying card/Ice cream lady – Tracey Anderson
Pawn/playing card/chef – Tim Tyler
Pawn/playing card – Amy Anderson
White Rabbit – Helen Gard
Mad Hatter – David Cradduck
March Hare/pawn – Glynn Williams
Dormouse/pawn – Alex Williams
Mock Turtle – Mike Cornter
Cheshire Cat – Jan Conway
Red King – Paul McTaggart