Alice in Wonderland

Suffolk theatre shows panto 2025 — All photos: Bill Jackson

Red Rose Chain productions can always be relied upon to lift the spirits with their witty scripts, talented cast and inventive props and sets, and this interpretation of Alice in Wonderland is perfect for getting in the mood for Christmas.

Stepping into the studio theatre at Gippeswyk Hall, we immediately meet Alice, eager for some diversion and entertainment. She’s cooped up in her nursery, the snow is falling outside and she’s only got her toy rabbits for company.

But this is Wonderland and with cartwheels, splits and some astonishing acrobatics, Alice (Georgia Redgrave) takes us down the rabbit hole and into the world of her imagination. There are only three other cast members who each adopt half a dozen roles with some rapid costume changes and powerful characterisations. All our favourites are here - Humpty Dumpty, the Queen of Hearts, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the Dormouse, Cheshire Cat and Mad Hatter.

The set is wonderfully simple, reminiscent of Narnia as the wardrobe and window box allow characters to magically appear and dissolve before us. The props and costumes are fabulous, with the Red and White Knights wearing their horses’ heads as hats, the Dormouse woken from drowsing in the teapot, and Alice’s arms and head popping out the windows and roof of her dolls-house after she follows an instruction to ‘eat me’.

Georgia Redgrave as Alice, Emily Jane Kerr as the March Hare, Alec Murray as the Mad Hatter - credit Bill Jackson.png

Georgia Redgrave as Giant Alice, Emily Jane Kerr as the White Rabbit - credit Bill Jackson.png

Alec Murray & Emily Jane Kerr as Tweddle Dum and Dee with Georgia Redgrave as Alice - credit Bill Jackson.png

Emily Jane Kerr as the Duchess, Alec Murray as the Cook, Joseph Russell as the Cheshire Cat and Georgia Redgrave as Alice - credit Bill Jackson.png

It’s all an absolute delight.

There are no special effects here, just imagination, creativity and raw talent as the cast takes us into Alice’s dream world.

Be ready to laugh, clap, sing, even dance along. Though Alec Murray, in his debut, momentarily steps out of character to rebuke us. “This isn’t a panto,” he claims. “This is a serious adaptation of a work of classic literature.” He can’t keep up the pretence for long, as we all shout": “Oh no, it isn’t.”

Full of charm, wit, energy and joy, this is perfect for Christmas and any production by Red Rose Chain should not to be missed.

Alice in Wonderland is at The Avenue Theatre in Ipswich until 4 January 2026.

FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE

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