Cirque Alice presents the kind of out-of-this-world wow factor that audiences must see to believe. Photos: Cirque Alice.
The creators of global smash hits The Illusionists, Circus 1903 and Le Noir have turned the “ultimate circus source material” into a jaw-dropping, breathtaking, awe-inspiring spectacle for the ages.
Cirque Alice is a reimagining of Lewis Carol’s classic tale of whimsy Alice in Wonderland and according to the show’s creative producer Simon Painter, no tale better lends itself to the circus medium.
“For 15 years an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland into a circus spectacular has been on my wish list,” he says.
“Circus is about magic, wonder and whimsy and no tale better lends itself than Alice’s fantastical wonderland. It’s like the ultimate circus source material.”
With stunning performances and gravity-defying feats, Cirque Alice is billed as a fantastical extravaganza for all ages. It features mind-bending contortionists, mesmerising aerialists, larger-than-life puppetry, enchanting dancers, special musical guests and comedic artists set against a contemporary soundtrack of iconic classical hits.
Painter says the delightfully nonsensical and visually stunning world of Alice is primed for creative mining, but its characters steal the show.
From the grinning, uncanny Cheshire Cat to the sheer off-the-hook energy of the Mad Hatter and the unhinged Queen of Hearts, audiences will see the inhabitants of Wonderland like never before.
“Normally with circus shows you have to come up with characters, but Wonderland is already teeming with the most inspiring collection of characters,” he says.
“A hilarious comedy magician plays Our Mad Hatter and he leads us through the journey. The White Rabbit is played by a famous classical violinist who almost lures Alice through Wonderland with his virtuosity. Incredible young soprano Layla Schillert plays Alice herself and she is very clearly going to be a huge star.
“What’s more, the mechanisms to create an incredible tale visually are already built in — like the change of scale from bigger to smaller. There’s an awful lot to play with; it was a joyful task to make this work.”
Cirque Alice stops at Canberra Theatre Centre as part of a massive 54-week world tour.
Painter says the show presents a rare chance for Canberra audiences to see the “creme de la creme” of acrobatic talent from around the world, including the incredible Ramadhani Brothers who literally balance head-to-head on a ladder 4.5 m in the air at the close of Act One.
“I have been producing circus shows for a very long time and can honestly say this is the greatest acrobatic cast I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” he says.
“The backbone of this show is the incredible talent that produces the kind of out-of-this-world wow factor that audiences must see to believe.”
Cirque Alice comes to Canberra Theatre Centre from 22 to 31 January. A limited number of VIP onstage seats will be available.
