Wonderland the Musical (Review)

On the final night performing at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool, Wonderland, a musical created by Frank Wildhorn, boasted a lively, loud and colourful show to a very willing audience. Opening immediately with a song lead by Kerry Ellis playing Alice in an outfit that I was surprised to see looking so ordinary for this crazy story, the cast hooked the theatre from the start. Her voice instantly presented itself as powerful and left me with an open mouth in awe and was a nice match at the beginning with the ensemble around her, as she sang about her life and tells the audience, through the song, that it was her birthday. On the same morning, she got her car stolen and consequently is fired.

The ensemble being a fixed part of the show, portraying both the “real life” people and the known characters in Wonderland, was excellent. One cast member, Benjamin McMillan, playing Tweedledum 1 stood out as soon as he walked onstage, showing his strength through very pronounced dancing and executed impressive contemporary choreography around props.

To my knowledge, a few of the cast I saw playing their characters were understudies but they played their parts like they’d never known any different. They owned their costumes, their songs and lines and choreography. Toyan Thomas-Browne played the caterpillar in a very sassy and humorous way, bringing an excellent way of carrying that vivid costume (and those pants) to a point where it was hard not to notice him. Toyan gave a diva-like performance of his soulful solo, “Advice from a Caterpillar,” surrounded by four amazing dancers, bringing a new, fresh side to the chilled caterpillar otherwise well-known.  Confusing yet insightful, the song lyrically prompts Alice to start her journey of reflection.

Along with Alice on this journey was Jack, her neighbour “from downstairs” who dreams of being a singer, and her daughter, Ellie. Jack, played by a very charismatic Stephen Webb, brought laughter and seduction to his songs. His costume, somewhere between a hero from a fairytale and what looked like a visual impression of George Michael, added to the bizarre wonder of the show. Naomi Morris gave a very noticeable performance through soft solos as Ellie, Alice’s daughter who was seen as clever to the people of Wonderland, mainly to the Mad Hatter. Both Jack’s and Ellie’s transformations through the looking glass gave a very different side to their characters. Jack, once unable to even talk to Alice, began to serenade her with no small amount of exaggerated hip rolls in her direction, whilst Ellie sheds her “grown-up” persona and becomes the widely gesturing teenager who just wants her mum back to the way they used to be.

Another startling character transformation was the “bonkers (it’s in the name)” Mad Hatter, who becomes a strong-voiced rebellious leader who adds to the theme of tyranny in the show by enslaving Wonderland in a bid to overthrow the Queen of Hearts. Her powerful and intense solo of “I Will Prevail” gripped the audience, letting the hidden, new side of the Hatter show in the centre of a darker set. Francesca Gordon, who pulled off her character with ultimate talent, sported a fantastic costume in purple, complete with the signature top hat whilst singing atop a platform, raised and tilted to give the Hatter a sense of higher status over the workers she employs in her factory.

Another powerful voice adding to the mix was the surprising appearance of Wendi Peters as the Queen of Hearts, to which the comment was made of, “She’s off Coronation Street, right?” Yes, she was, and what a different impression she gave from the one on the cobbled streets. Wendi Peters gave a captivating and funny stage presence to not only rule over Wonderland but the stage on which it was set. Her costume, a red dress complete with a tartan inner layer seen through a leg split in the garment, gave her an elegant look as she hurried herself across the stage in outrageously high-heeled shoes, nibbling happily on her jam tarts.

There were two moving songs that were inspiring in an unexpected way: “Finding Wonderland”, beautifully led  by Kerry Ellis with the chorus adding harmonies and power to the song, and “This Is Who I Am”, shared by Kerry Ellis and Francesca Gordon in a revelation of finding their true selves. With lyrics created by Jack Murphy, each song carries the story beautifully in an enchanting, captivating way.

Reality goes up against make-believe lunacy in Wonderland as a musical about turning back time and how it’s never too late to find and live a dream. It is moved along by touching ballads and up-beat, well-choreographed numbers, all performed around incredible set designs and emphasised by cleverly planned lighting with costumes which makes each character stand out in their own talented way. Kerry Ellis played her part of Alice excellently and lead a very talented cast through what I felt was a show that will stay as one of my favourites throughout my time visiting the Empire Theatre.