Helena Romanes School’s Alice in Wonderland wows audiences

Alice in Wonderland, performed by students at Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow, wowed audiences last week including the town’s mayor Councillor Danielle Frost – who called into the Broadcast offices especially to say how good the show was.

Cllr Frost said: “It was better than a lot of professional shows I have seen, I didn’t want it to end.”

The director, drama teacher Calum Macleod – who was a professional actor for 10 years – said cheerfully: “All the hard work has paid off.”

The school decided to put on a play instead of the usual musical because of budget constraints. Musicals are expensive to stage costing a lot to pay for the rights.

Mr Macleod said: “We were looking around and found a play that was weird, wacky and wonderful. It has one of the best stories ever written and this is a new adaptation, which is funny and we thought do-able.”

The youngsters started rehearsals in July and the cast included more than 40 dancers who were the playing cards and also danced Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Year 11 pupil, Jeanri Burger choreographed the routines with dance teacher Louise Judd.

Three year 11 pupils took lead roles: Keira Schul and Gus Barry played Alice and The Mad Hatter, with Lois Miller as the Queen of Hearts.

The music was the sound track from the film version starring Johnny Depp.

The show was performed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to much acclaim.