The second of Sligo's Blue Raincoat's Alice plays has opened at the Peacock Theatre, Dublin, and it is again a feast for ear and eye. This one is bracketed with small vignettes featuring the Rev Charles Dodgson (a.k.a. Lewis Carroll), and places the action in the poignant setting of the man's relationship - part avuncular, part something more - with the young Alice Liddell, whom he immortalised.
Once his imagination has despatched Alice down the White Rabbit's burrow, the magical adventures unfold.
She grows, shrinks and meets the familiar characters: the Dormouse, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, March Hare, Mock Turtle and others. Jocelyn Clarke's adaptation brings them all acceptably in to play and enables the company to deploy its blend of physical and verbal precision, to significant advantage.
David Heap is a notable Dodgson, whom he combines with other roles most persuasively. Fiona McGeown is, intentionally, a mature Alice, sinuous in movement and staccato of voice, in full command of her character. John Carty, Elizabeth Bracken, Ciaran McCauley and Sandra O'Malley give colourful and witty portrayals of the numerous other parts. The ensemble comes across the footlights as sharing a common inspiration and physical drive.
Alternates weekly with Alice Through the Looking Glass to August 12th; bookings: 01 878 7222