Alice Returns: The Sherman goes back to Wonderland for full-throttle festive fun

REVIEW: 'Alice: Return to Wonderland' at Sherman Theatre

The seasonal festive cracker from the Sherman Theatre was much anticipated in our house after a couple of immensely pleasing December visits, and it once again exceeded all expectations.

Billed as a spectacular and supremely silly adventure into Wonderland, the show is based on Lewis Carroll's 1871 novel, Through the Looking-Glass.

But we are removed to a 1940s Cardiff via the direction and words of Sherman regular Hannah McPake, last year's unforgettable Scrooge.

There's a dazzling main house set, hilarious costumes, puppets, and a set of ripping tunes.

We first find Alice as a grown-up town planner working for Cardiff City Council in 1947, some years after her first visit to Wonderland, and the single parent of a young rebellious daughter.

This grown-up and sensible suit-wearing Alice is serious, straight, often nagging her daughter Carys. She is accused of being (gasp) boring.

While preparing for her next building project — a city centre car park commissioned by Lord Bute – a fluffy-eared old friend suddenly appears. Before long, they are transported via looking glass to Wonderland, where the evil Red Queen is threatening to take Carys under her wing.

Can grown-up Alice throw off the necessary shackles of responsible adulthood and reconnect with her fun-loving inner child to save her own child? I'm afraid I’ll have to leave you in a state of suspense on that one.

If the first half of the show unfurls the canvas, the second half is truly blitzed with colour and silliness and gloriously amplified insanity. It is strewn with terrific jokes and wonderfully ridiculous performances. 

At its heartwarming conclusion there are messages about the importance of play, wonder, and imagination, whatever your age, how we should ‘grow down’ rather than ‘grow up’ as we get older.

There’s also a curiously profound and heartbreaking wail from the fabulously acidic Red Queen: “I just wanted someone to play with!” Don’t we all? 

Another of the closing messages suggested a need to embrace silliness, or even outright bonkers lunacy as an adult. In a time of such mental health awareness, and in those precarious moments when you're not sure whether to laugh or cry, this feels worth considering. Maybe we could all lean in harder to our own Wonderland. 

Return To Wonderland is an action-packed two-hour show with special effects, noises, music and songs written by Lucy Rivers. The astonishing actor-musicians are truly squeezed for their talents, singing and playing a range of instruments to decorate the story.

A big clap is deserved for Sherman Christmas legend, Keiron Self, who stars in his 11th festive show, I'm sure with no less energy or creativity than his first. 

The Sherman says that children younger than 7 are welcome to attend, but it is designed for a 7+ audience, while The Frog Prince / Biwti a Brogs [look out for our review in a few days] has been created in the Studio for kids aged 3-6.

Thanks to the fine people of the Sherman, we giggled our way back down Senghennydd Road well past bedtime. Now, I almost feel ready to take on the harsh realities of the season.

Alice: Return to Wonderland continues at Sherman Theatre until 3 January. You can find out more and book tickets here.

Review by Mark Hawkins

We received free tickets for this performance in exchange for an honest review.