Alice!

So, exactly one week ago, I went to see the Royal Opera House's Alice in Wonderland - a ballet adaptation, for the curious.

And? And well, it was amazing! The adaptation was necessarily different from the book: for one thing, as composer Josy Talbot explains, the book profits greatly from Tenniel's illustrations* and Caroll's wording. And, actually, words in general. However, what it loses in wordplay, it makes us in music, choreography and stunningly clever effects. And, while the story is different, I (as a die-hard Alice fan) was not disappointed**.

I won't go into detail on the criticism - because I simply have so much to say. Alice was my first ever ballet, though, and it was lovely to actually see a ballet rather than just read about it***. The choreography, as I said, was wonderful - and it really shocks you to think that people came up with it. How do you imagine something so sprawling? I don't know.

And now to play the favourites game. My two favourite dancers were undeniably Edward Watson, who dances the White Rabbit, and Steven McRae, who dances the Mad Hatter. However, special mention goes to Eric Underwood, who danced the Caterpillar. He was shirtless the entire time and made the entire theatre swoon - his applause was of the high pitched variety. Second special mention goes to Philip Mosely, who dances the Duchess. He was also fabulous - dancing the entire thing in a hooped-skirt can't be easy.

I was upset that the dancer for the part of Alice was Sarah Lamb. Obviously I can't really make any judgements as I have never seen a ballet before; much less her or Lauren Cuthbertson, who was casted by the director, dance. But even before I read the cast sheet and found out about the switch, I felt there was something about the way she danced Alice that annoyed me just the tinyest bit. This does not at all mean that I would turn my nose up at a chance to see her dance again: I am more than willing to give her a second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth chance. (Maybe after that point the novelty would have worn off, or I would have found some reason to concrete and justify my dislike. Who knows?)

And so, thus concludes my (sadly pictureless) commentary of a wonderful night.

Look out for a lit corner sometime soon, featuring The Hunger Games and possible others!

*I have seen copies of Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass published with illustrations by people other than Tenniel. I can't say I know why anyone would want that out of life.
**Which is definitely a lot more than I can say for Tim Burton's film, which I abhorred. A shame, really.
***I had a penchant for ballet books when I was younger. Oh, who am I kidding? I still do.