ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
COMBINED ACTORS of CAMBRIDGE at the ADC Theatre December 2002.

Innovative, enthusiastic, energetic, colourful are just some of the adjectives, which describe this latest offering from the Combined Actors of Cambridge. New, yet familiar, this lovely gentle story was brought to life by the inimitable Barry Brown whose amusing adaptation (almost Milliganesque at times) kept the audience enthralled all evening. I have become a great fan of the Combined Actors since moving to this region some years back and, although this time I was not sure I could fit in a visit, when asked to review their latest production memories of Blue Remembered Hills and The Midnight Folk gave the necessary impetus for me to re-arrange a couple of commitments and how glad I am. I should have hated to miss Alice.

The amusing opening scene established the era. Old-fashioned footlights, costumes and style left us in no doubt that we were in Victorian England. We were treated to a photographic lecture with living photographs and then whisked through the mirror to Looking Glass Land and the spectacular chess game. Margaret Thorp’s costumes for this (and every) scene were amazing. The ingenuity of them unique and had the audiences buzzing as they recognised the ‘pieces’. Not content with that Margaret gave us oysters, a mock turtle, Humpty Dumpty etc. etc. all equally breathtaking.

Anyone familiar with this company will know that ensemble playing is their forte and this production had some of the best. Seasoned actors mingled with young inexperienced actors could give rise to an obvious divide. Not here. SOPHIE (Alice) and AMIEE FORRESTER (in various roles) were equal to any challenge the maturity and experience of the remainder of the cast presented. In fact everyone was so good individually it is no wonder they worked so well as a team. The energy they all threw into their performances led one to believe there were at least twice as many of them.

Of course not everything worked but then that happens in all shows. The integration of Victorian poetry was inspirational but I was completely lost over the cod song – or was it haddock? I didn’t understand that bit at all.

Barry Brown’s adaptation of this story was cleverly done, it was witty both verbally and visually: Ian Favell’s wonderful music, Madeleine Forrester’s neat choreography and Margaret Thorp’s spectacular costumes all adding extra dimensions to the colourful setting. One must not forget either the technical support from what was probably a huge number of people working unseen to keep things running smoothly.

This was a family show in all ways and I hope the cast will forgive me not singling any one out. I haven’t because it is impossible to do so. They are all stars both in Looking Glass Land and the real world. I loved it.
Reviewed by Jenni Saunders