Throughout my reviewing and my own personal experience on stage, I’ve found it’s very rare that children’s theatre gets its due.
As loud, colourful and magical as the productions are, they go unnoticed. They’re hidden in a small corner of the theatre world, perceived as something unimportant by some, as they’re for children.
However, I find this massively disappointing as children’s theatre is a fabulous, sharp reminder that we need to have fun and have adventures. This is exactly how I felt watching Elliott Hudson College’s production of Alice in Wonderland – a vibrant reminder that life should be a fun adventure!
With an incredibly large cast, I was amazed at how each student had their own distinct role. When working with a large cast, it can often be difficult to have your moment to shine. This was an issue that this talented group of performers did not have! Each actor found their way into the spotlight with ease, seizing the opportunity to fully embrace their assigned roles and show off their stage skills.
After being unable to find a script they unanimously loved, the cast and crew took on the impressive feat of creating their own. Taking the primary school children of the Leeds area into consideration, the goal to create a fun, magical and delightful children’s theatre script was certainly going to be a heavy challenge for the group. And yet, their efforts were not in vain! Sitting in that theatre I once adored performing in, I was nearly moved to tears at the pure joy on every child’s face.
Dialogue that fit each familiar Wonderland character so well, a cheery tune that involves the audience and a whole dynamite set of new characters are just a handful of the magical twists and turns curated by the cast themselves.
With only eight weeks and thirty hours to complete the entire show – they successfully transported the audience to the wacky world of Wonderland!
It truly shows that anyone who wants an adventure can participate in theatre, a message every child who came to see Elliott Hudson College’s production can now carry with them as they grow up in what many perceive as a world in need of cheer.
The performance skills of the cast were phenomenal. Although they are still students and learning the art of being on stage, the show highlighted just how far they’ve already come! The vocal projection of the entire cast was undeniably fabulous. Having a seat at the back is often unlucky when watching a performance. However, I heard and understood every word. With marvellous stage presence and characterisation skills, it was impossible to ignore the madness and talent!
Elliott Hudson College’s Alice in Wonderland is a clear display of the devotion that students have for theatre. Children of the north deserve the time and space to explore that devotion, something I believe many schools don’t offer enough of.
I want to offer my applause and gratitude to the teaching staff of Elliott Hudson College for curating a space for students to explore theatre and the students themselves for creating a production that encourages the younger generation to get involved in the art of performance. You are setting an incredible example of how performing can change someone’s life.
Main image…Full cast and crew.
