★★★★★
What could be a better backdrop for a night of extravagant circus performance than the wild world of Alice in Wonderland? Louis Carroll’s 1865 novel takes new shape in the diverse performances by the Cirque Alice cast.
The show is guided by Alice, played by Layla Schillert. At just 20 years old, the rising Aussie star uses her seemingly effortless soprano to weave each act together. Like the audience, Alice travels act to act and watches each performance with awe.
Schillert’s complex vocals are accompanied by gorgeous live violin performed by Oliver-nominated musician Raphael Papo. Like Alice, Papo, as the white rabbit, can be found on the stage as a flighty onlooker to the marvels that occur before him.
Between acts, Paul Dabek as the Mad Hatter mixes comedy and magic. This leaves the audience laughing themselves to tears.
Dabek has this zany charisma that leaves audiences wanting more. Despite the large crowd at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre, he keeps the audience involved in his act. He does so by selecting participants to involve in his acts and other crowd work.
The puppets by Max Humphries and Cheryl ‘Chuck’ Brown that create the iconic Cheshire Cat’s smile are phenomenal. It’s an impactful moment that stands out in a production otherwise focused on death-defying acts. Humphries also creates the gorgeous white rabbit puppet that appears in the scene where Alice grows taller.
At its most surreal is the caterpillar. This act comprises the contortionists Munkhjin Tuvd, Bayarmaa Ganbat, Shinechimeg Otgonbayar, and Dolgorsuren Ganbold.
Before the caterpillar appears, audiences are captivated by the dancers adorned in intricate flower costumes. When these dancers disappear, the caterpillar is a confronting sight. They appear in the middle of the stage, wrapped around each other. It’s hard to tell where one performer begins and the other ends, but they slowly separate in a truly hypnotic performance.
Part of the Queen of Hearts-themed section features acts from America’s Got Talent winners, The Ramadhani Brothers. Backed by tense musical arrangements organised by Martin Raabe-Olsen and Marius Christiansen, the pair’s acrobatics are astonishing. It’s also the moments of imperfection – like the moment when Ibrahim Mwaimise missteps – that remind audiences how real it all is.
Another compelling performer is Anna Stelmakh, who takes the role of both a Flamingo and the White Queen. Her performance gradually builds anticipation that pays off incredibly. Whether on skates or spinning in the air, Stelmakh’s talent is undeniable.
Every single element of Cirque Alice has been carefully planned as to how it fits within the world of Carroll’s original work, from the meticulous costume design by Angela Aaron to the moody lighting design by Hugo Mercier Bosseny. Aaron’s tea party costumes on the dancers are particularly cute during the dormouse’s breathtaking balancing act.
Tim Lawson and Simon Painter’s Cirque Alice is a fusion of the best elements of the performing arts. With such a diverse array of performers, there’s something for everyone.
Cirque Alice runs to 11 October at the Lyric Theatre Sydney. 55 Pirama Road Pyrmont NSW 2009.
Tickets: https://www.sydneylyric.com.au/cirque-alice
Website: https://cirquealice.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/cirquealice/
Photo credits: Base Entertainment Asia
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