Association of Community Theatre

Show Reviews 2017

ALICE - The Musical

PADOS Theatre Group Juniors

 

Director: April Grime

Musical Director: Helen Wilkinson

Dance Director: Emily Richardson

This charming script and music of Lewis Caroll’s adventures of Alice was an agreeable choice for the new intake of juniors. The piece gives the young trainees a chance to be learning stage craft, team work, music, movement and storytelling.

The set was simple and effective allowing the action to unfold unhindered. There was maximum space for the cast to perform in. The costumes were worn well and didn’t hinder the performers. The technician’s, lighting and sound brought this well-loved story into the spotlight.

 

All the time and effort of the creative team paid off as the overall delivery was a credit to their hard work. To achieve the levels of presentation from such a novice bunch of youngsters was superb.

 

A large cast was led by a narrator in the character of Lewis Caroll, who kept the audience informed and linked the scenes admirably. The title role has to be recognisable and this was achieved with a clear understanding of the character. All the other characters along Alice’s journey, from the White Rabbit to the Queen of Hearts, were focused and were all believable. The ensemble work was good and the performers' stagecraft was present. There was no blocking of other characters, the performers filled the stage leaving no empty spaces and spoke clearly.

 

Musically the young performers were disciplined delivering the lyrics adding to the overall dramatic colouring. Similarly, the movement was executed to a good level showing solid co-ordination.

 

This ACT in Training group continually teach youngsters theatre skills which can benefit each of them in many different ways.