Staffordshire’s New Vic theatre is revisiting one of its most popular festive shows this Christmas, presenting an adaptation of Alice In Wonderland that gives the classic story a local twist. Artistic Director Theresa Heskins tells What’s On why reviving an old favourite isn’t such a mad hatter idea…

Staffordshire’s New Vic theatre is reaching back into its past for this year’s Christmas production, revisiting - and, according to Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, ‘refreshing’ - its acclaimed version of Alice In Wonderland, which was first performed 11 years ago.

But while the move might contradict a classic line from the show’s titular protagonist (“It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then”), it makes total sense given how well the original was received - as  Theresa explains...

“It’s one of the shows we’re fondest of. It was nominated for awards, engaged the imaginations of so many young people who are now adults, and we saw that it had so much impact. People still stop me in the street and say ‘I saw that show, it’s one of the first shows I saw and I want you to know how much I loved it.’

“We’re also fond of it because it has great music and it’s very lively, funny and witty - it’s a much-loved story told in a very dramatic and exciting way.”

As well as a new cast, the refreshed version also features new lighting and effects courtesy of advances in equipment and technology. But it’s the human element that’s key for Theresa, not least because her adaptation brings a more human - and local - touch to a story that doesn’t typically elicit much in the way of empathy for its cast of unlikely characters.

“It’s kind of unusual because Alice In Wonderland as a book - I love the quirk of it, but it’s not big on story. One of the things that we managed to do was give it a story where you really care about the characters and about their journey.” 

Having grown up on a council estate in London, Theresa admits she found it difficult to relate to “that girl in the blue dress with the blonde hair who grew up in an Oxbridge college and had a governess”. She thought audiences, especially youngsters, were likely to feel the same way.

“One in 10 local people come to see our Christmas shows each year, and quite a lot of those are children, many of which are having their first experience of the theatre. I want them to see people that they understand and can recognise on stage. I want them to see extraordinary people as well, and learn about new ways of thinking and living, but I did think, how are they going to relate to this Victorian girl with this very particular and unusual life?”

The discovery that the book’s author, Lewis Carroll (real name Charles Dodgson), was a keen amateur photographer took Theresa down a rabbit hole of her own, ultimately inspiring a new persona and motivation for the lead character. 

“One of Lewis Carroll’s favourite subjects was the family who lived in the college, one of whom was Alice. He took some photos of her in fancy dress, dressed as a beggar girl, and I thought that was an inspiring image and very different to the child that we know.

“So I’ve imagined Alice not as a beggar girl but as the child of a boating family, coming into Stoke-on-Trent on one of the canals and going into the marketplace to earn some money to buy herself some food for her tea, failing to do that and spending the whole play trying to get her jam tarts.

“It gives the show a sense of importance, because you really want kids to be fed, and she’s loveable and gorgeous, so you support her all the way.”

Developing a connection with the audience is always a priority for Theresa. She is given a helping hand in doing so by the fact that the New Vic is the oldest purpose-built, in-the-round theatre in the UK - an arena that lets audiences get up close to the action.

“You’re not sitting at the back in row T wondering if you can see people’s faces, you’re right there feeling part of it. And for comedy, it’s great to be able to see other people’s faces laughing.”

The theatre remains one of only a handful of venues able to stage in-the-round shows, but it’s a format that’s definitely catching on - which is just as well, as the venue’s productions are starting to develop a life beyond Newcastle-under-Lyme. 

Around The World In 80 Days went to 42nd Street in New York (“we were in the theatre literally next door to Harry Potter”), a special stage was built in London for Tom, Dick And Harry, and the theatre’s acclaimed production of Marvellous is set to be the first production at @sohoplace, the first new-build West End theatre in 50 years, when it opens this autumn.

“What that says to me is that here in Staffordshire we are making world-class theatre and we’re making it for Staffordshire audiences. It’s great to share it out, because what it’s saying to those people in New York, London and across the UK, is that Staffordshire is a place where talent and excellence thrives. There are extraordinary things made here that are world class - just like the pottery industry. We’re very proud to be part of that.

“So when making Alice, we’re very aware that we’re making a show for local people and local children, to inspire them to love theatre, and we’re making it knowing that the people creating it are a valued part of the international theatre industry.”

As much as Christmas shows are crucial for any local theatre - the revenue from pantomimes helps fund work for the rest of the year - Theresa sees an even greater importance in the annual festive show.

“I think what’s most important for us is that it’s the start of a lifetime of theatre going. We have such a sense of responsibility when young people come into this building and it’s one of their first theatre experiences. We make sure we give them the best theatre we’re capable of making. We want them to remember it and tell their grandchildren and great grandchildren about it. And hopefully it will also kick-start them on a lifetime of theatre going. It feels like such a special gift to be able to give at Christmas.”

Alice In Wonderland shows at the New Vic theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, from Fri 18 November until Sat 28 January.

Feature by Steve Adams