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Sarah Roa as Alice in Gateway Theatre’s “In Wonderland.”
Photo by Ben Laird
Gateway’s “In Wonderland” a playful take on familiar story
By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Published 11:02 PDT, Sat April 9, 2022
Last Updated: 11:43 PDT, Sat April 9, 2022
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Gateway Theatre’s latest offering In Wonderland is a whimsical show based on Lewis Carroll’s novels about Alice, featuring recognizable characters like the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts.
Sarah Roa takes on the role of Alice with a childlike wonder. Natascha Girgis and Graham Percy play an assortment of other characters, although perhaps their biggest standout scene is the Mad Tea Party.
Jamie Nesbitt’s projection design has the presence of a fourth actor, with colourful and imaginative backdrops and moving sequences to fill the stage without using furniture. With so much focus on growing and shrinking, projection helps to achieve clarity.
The hookah-smoking Caterpillar is surrounded by projected smoke clouds; the door with a face is lit in different colours to blend in or stand out from the background around it. And the jury in Alice’s trial is achieved by projecting multiple copies of Girgis’s face.
The aesthetic continuity using geometric shapes is very effective, tying together the projections with Hanne Loosen’s set and costume design. Director Haysam Kadri leans into the strong physical comedy talents of all three actors.
Anna Cummer’s script is true to its source material, with characters uttering lines from songs like “I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it” and “All in the golden afternoon.” The most crucial moments are included in this condensed version of a lengthy tale, although those unfamiliar with Alice’s story might be lost at times in the variety of characters and unusual situations.
The standout scenes—the aforementioned Mad Tea Party, the Caterpillar encounter, and a brief but delightful sequence involving a ladder—are strong, but the pacing sometimes lags a little in between those moments.
The show dabbles in music, with Girgis singing a few lines here and there, but the humorous and bizarre “Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat” isn’t as much of a standout as the rest of the Mad Tea Party scene.
The audience on opening night included people of all ages, from five to 75. In Wonderland is a visually appealing take on a classic story, running just under two hours including a 15-minute intermission.
Gateway is presenting all performances with a reduced audience capacity and physically distanced seats. Proof of vaccination is required, as well as valid photo ID for those aged 18-plus. The show also has Traditional and Simplified Chinese surtitles.
In Wonderland is on through April 16. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.
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