Reflections Mag FINAL.indd - Handcross Park School

12
DRAMA
Alice in Wonderland
(Lower School play)
As the curtain went up we were in for a treat. The
stage set was, as usual, fantastic with Rosemary
Gooderham and Joan Hill pulling out all the stops.
The roses adorning the banks of a beautiful river gave
the butterfly dancers an atmospheric backdrop. The
rowing boat, built to last by Gerald Heath, looked so
real you could almost hear the splash of the oars.
The cast headed by Esme Bertelsen, Sophie Mills and
Georgia Roff as Alice brought Lewis Carrolls’ classic
tale to life. Lewis Carroll, played by Alexander
Goodman, narrated the story with the help of a variety
of Wonderland creatures all of whom demonstrated
excellent characterisation skills.
Everyone gave a fabulous performance but special
mention must be made of the Maddest of Hatters
played by Sterren Botha and his sidekick the March
Hare played by Daniel Topple. A fantastic double act
who made you feel quite concerned for the fate of the
Dormouse played by Laura Russell who had a pot of
tea poured over her!
Another mention must be made of the scary Queen of
Hearts, played by Joseph Endacott, who was a mix of
prancing prima donna and brutal dictator.
This show had everything from street dancing
lobsters to smooth talking Caterpillars (Sebastian
Lewis) as well as more chopped off heads than you
could shake a stick at. The students sang their hearts
out with memorable numbers like The Caterpillar
Blues and The Croquet Song which, of course, the
Queen of Hearts insisted the audience sang.
Anyone who didn’t sing loud enough was executed –
we are still looking for some members of staff. I could
White Rabbit (Toby Rawlings) on about the cast’s total
brilliance but unfortunately I’ve just remembered
something………I’m late!