Theatre / Reviews
Review: Alice, Alma Tavern
Metta theatre’s refreshing take on Alice’s story confronts topical issues in a manner both poignant and playful.
Alice picks up on the the Victorian classic as the protagonist (inspired by the real life Alice Hargreaves) enters old age and is forced to endure the harsh reality of her son’s fatal experience during the First World War. The objects onstage, true to the era and inspired by the Hargreaves’ interests spring to life to recount the relationship between mother and son using only the words of the original author. The production can be measured by its success at exploring issues from warfare to madness through the seemingly innocent and fantastical medium of puppetry.
All manner of everyday bric a brac stack, fold and unravel themselves into reality before seamlessly vanishing back into obscurity. The effect is magical, titillating and engaging as we reconvene with White Rabbit, March Hare, Cheshire Cat et al. The most effective characters were those more obscure, whilst the juxtaposition of innocent puppetry assembled from holsters and gas masks set to deliver a poignant message concerning the duality of mankind. Pacing and energy dragged in places no doubt due to the actors’ necessity to adhere to audio cues that could no doubt have been replaced by onstage instruments considering the couples’ skill set and harmonious ability.
Whilst the concept was compelling and the competence in the acting and directing portion clearly high, the production stalled from a level of incoherency. Perhaps it could have benefited from the White Hare guiding the audience through the maze as in the original. Sombre mood and the relationship between grieving mother and homesick child captured the crushing lows, yet the dizzying, manic highs were somewhat absent. Whether intentional or not, the shadows of the various characters being projected onto the back wall hinted at an unexplored visual depth to the piece that was clearly given careful consideration concerning the set.
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