Classic fairy tale receives Aussie twist

THE Melbourne City Ballet brought the fun and lighthearted Alice in Wonderland for its first tour of New Zealand.

It is the tale of the curious young Alice (Yuiko Masukawa) who follows the mysterious White Rabbit (David Sims) down a rabbit hole to a world of wonder, intrigue and an almostbeheading.

This production from artistic director Michael Pappalardo and former RNZB dancer Brendan Bradshaw puts a true Aussie twist on this family favourite.

The world that Alice is transported is not quite the land devised by Lewis Carroll in 1865, but a typically Aussie scene, with a bit of Mean Girls thrown in, a beachside tea party, barbecue and cricket match all set to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

The set is simple, yet effective, with the use of projection and a large movable screen to help create the different worlds in which Alice finds herself.

The costuming from Maria Pavone brings lovely empire line gowns for act one’s opening garden party, a gorgeous sapphire blue dress for Alice, flirty 1950s bathers with floral caps for the synchronised swimmers and red and blue striped swimmers for the racers.

Masukawa’s Alice is at times petulant and at other times endearing.

The pas de deux between Masukawa and the lifeguard (Tynan Woods) is a charming standout, but ending with a hand shake, rather than the expected kiss.

Audra Tory’s Cheshire Cat has sass, but the Mad Hatter’s

Tea Party is a little sedate — it needed more madness.

Olivia Johnstone’s Red Queen was a classic narcissist, beheading any she disliked and the use of local young dancers is a lovely addition, even if their hedgehog characters were being used as reallife cricket balls.

This production of Alice is a little bit panto with great storytelling. While lacking a bit of polish, it made for an entertaining and lighthearted evening out.