Reviews

Alice (Edinburgh Fringe)

Fourth Monkey’s promenade production of Lewis Carroll’s novel takes over theSpace at North Bridge

Fourth Monkey has made quite a name for itself of late, both through its actor training and its acclaimed productions. This year, the graduating class of the Two Year Rep course has brought a promenade production of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland to theSpace on North Bridge.

Set over four floors (not one for less able bodied theatregoers), two feline characters lead the audience through various rooms as the tale, including Caucus Race, Mad Hatters Tea Party and smoking caterpillar (hookah oddly replaced with an e-cigarette) develops in front, above and around you. But Carroll's bizarre story of Cheshire Cats and stolen tarts is given a sinister twist, pitching the White Rabbit as Lewis Carroll himself and a potential sex pest with an ulterior motive for his friendship with young Alice.

The company of young actors put in a strong performance overall, with standout performances from Adam Trussell as the Dean, Scott McGarrick as the White Rabbit and Katie Cherry as Alice, all of whom should be on your list of stage actors to look out for in the future.

Adding Lewis Carroll to the Yewtree pile along with Messrs Saville and Harris is a bold move, but it doesn't quite sit right in this otherwise whimsical production. Having said that, it's a brave performance from a talented bunch of youngsters that certainly offers something a little different for midnight at the Fringe.

Alice runs at theSpace on North Bridge (Venue 36)​ until 23 August

FOR MORE ON EDINBURGH 2014 VISIT WHATSONSTAGE.COM/EDINBURGH-FESTIVAL