Written by United King panto master Ben Crocker and directed by Penelope Hare and musical director/choreographer Tobias Devereux, the panto features a 30-strong, all-local cast of both seasoned performers and newcomers.
Along with working from Crocker’s madcap script, which includes all of the usual suspects from Lewis Carroll’s timeless novels — the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and more, Hare and Devereux have created an original soundtrack, writing music and lyrics for 13 songs.
With a variety of stylistic influences, the songs are set to premiere on streaming platforms once the production opens.
Devereux said there was about 30 minutes of songs and music in the show, written specifically to enhance particular moments in the show.
"Luckily, we have some fantastic singers among the cast, so the songs are sounding great," Devereux said.
"We have gone for a real ‘Wonderland’ sound — it’s going to be lots of fun."
The main characters in Alice in Wonderland: A Pantomime are played by experienced performers Lizzie Thomson (Alice), Tomuri Spicer (Harry), Nic Turner (the Right Royal Red Queen), April McMillan Perkins (the Wrong Royal Red Queen), Leo Douglas (the White Rabbit), Zac Henry (Bandersnatch The Wrong Rabbit), and Mitchell McCarthy (the Mad Hatter).
Rehearsals started in September, and the cast had gelled really well together over the 12 last weeks, Hare said.
"It’s exciting to see everyone getting into their roles," she said.
Choreography by Devereux tended towards the "weird", which he hoped would add to the overall hilarity of the piece.
Hare said the key word for the production was "magic".
"Wonderland is such a dynamic world, so our goal is to immerse audiences in that whimsy, to meet them in the madness.
"If we can offer people a moment of genuine, child-like joy, we’ll know we’ve done our job," she said.
Although pantomimes are usually billed as "children’s entertainment", Hare and Devereux emphasise that Alice in Wonderland has something for everyone.
"We’ve got a few cards up our sleeves, so to speak," Hare said.
"Let us surprise you."
The Alice in Wonderland: A Pantomime season at the Globe Theatre, London St, will run from next Thursday, December 4, to Sunday, December 14, with most performances at 7pm and 2pm Sunday matinees.
To ensure the production is accessible to as many people as possible, a low sensory, relaxed performance will be held on Tuesday, December 9.
For more details, visit the Globe Theatre website, globetheatre.org.nz
