"Wonderland" by Copper Studios

The Old Disney Store, Victoria Centre, Nottingham.

Here is a piece of theatre, aimed at a younger audience, but not age specific, staged in a disused retail unit right in the centre of Nottingham. A retelling of the classic story of "Alice In Wonderland" written by Copper Studios Creative Director, Harry Hindley. It sticks rigidly to the main story line but is enhanced by adding modern touches and mentions of such new-fangled things as "Tik Tok", don't worry I've still not caught on to that one either!

Not only is the script fresh but there is a wonderful musical score to go with it. Some of the songs sound as if they should be in some Disney film and some sounding very grown-up musical theatre, but all really catchy with clever lyrics.

I loved the whole feel of the entrance area with books that look liked they were flying above your head and posters of the cast and a "We're all mad here" corner and confusing road sign, just to whet your appetite for entering the rabbit hole entrance. Once inside, and I advise you to get in early so that you can a really good look at the performance area, there is an intricate large set with foliage "growing" from the roof and through the wall of suitcases. An "Egyptian style entrance with columns to mark the exterior of the Quenn Of Hearts palatial home.

Visually the design is as much of an optic feast as the heavily laden table resplendent with mouth-watering looking cakes with the juiciest of cherries for decoration. This really is a truly magical set, lovingly created by Artistic Designer Megan Hindley.

Megan is also responsible for the equally magical costumes, and while keeping the original vision of Disney's costume design, she has added some modern twists, which again bring the story and production bang up to date. The eye for detail is spot on for all the costumes you see in this show.

Another important name within Copper Studios in this production is Sarah Green who is the Creative Associate Producer. A newbie into the Copper fold but if the results of this production is anything to go by, a vital and useful addition to the Copper family.

A cast of four have worked incredibly hard to create this gorgeous piece of theatre, but make it look so relaxed and easy, which in turn makes any show a delight to experience.

Alice is played with a lovely sense of innocence by Eleanor Homer and will immediately attract all the younger audience members with this performance. If they ever make a doll of Alice In Wonderland, they should use Eleanor as the model as she just looks how I would imagine Alice would look today.

The first character we meet is The Mad Hatter, who has an amazing costume and a hat that deserves the character name. How did that hat stay on her head? Wonderfully crazy characterization performed by Tashaka Baumber, and doubles up as the Cheshire Cat, also wonderfully zany. Not sure if the details about Tashaka are correct but it states that Tashaka has over 25 years' experience singing and performing! How can that be when Tashaka only looks to have hit her early twenties. Her acting and vocal experience is very impressive, as is this performance in "Wonderland".

Emily Vinnicombe plays both the White Rabbit and Caterpillar. Her performances are like explosions of candy and glitter all at once and you can't help but fall in love with both characters. Emily has one of those singing voices that you think "hello, who is this?". For me she sounds just a little bit like Kate Bush, and I have not heard anyone sing like this since Kate, an absolute delight.

The Queen Of Hearts is really well balanced as she is just a little bit scary but has that comedy element, almost like a well-pitched panto baddie, and it's a fine line in getting that balance right as you need her to be scary but not so much that the younger audience will be too scared and draw the tears from them. Aimee Hislop, who played Queenie looked as if she was loving every second playing her. It's the first time as well that I have seen the Queen Of Hearts partaking of a fitness session complete with leotard!

These four actors have their characterization down to a fine art, and know how to work an audience, and perfect choices for these characters.

This performance made me feel like an eight-year-old again, and that is going back some, but I adored this show and will enthral kids from five to a hundred and five, so take the Great Grandkids, Grandkids and the kids to see this treat, and also gives you an excuse to partake of this funny and clever piece of theatre.

It's also a lovely alternative to the traditional panto and with a running time of about an hour, it's not long enough for the young kids to get restless with, not that they would as I am positive that they will love it just as much as you. Go on, treat yourself.

"Wonderland" is at The Old Disney Store in the Nottingham Intu Victoria Centre until 30 December 2021. Booking details and show times can be found on the Copper Entertainment web site.