By Melissa Smalley
When the production of Alice in Wonderland, which is hosted by the 100 Mile Performing Arts Society, takes the stage in 100 Mile House this Saturday, the audience and cast alike can expect plenty of fun, according to one of the show's touring directors.
"It's a little nonsensical, and it features lots of really fun, wacky characters," says Ellen Dyar, in town this week to help stage the hour-long spectacle – featuring a cast of dozens of local children and teens – which is set to take place Sept. 24 at Martin Exeter Hall.
In addition to the title character – who will be portrayed by three different actresses of three different age groups – the show is made up of many familiar favourites from the classic Lewis Carroll books, including the Cheshire Cat, the March Hare and the Mad Hatter.
Additionally, the stage production was written to include some new – and equally bizarre – characters, Dyar explains.
While the storyline "does track slightly different" than the original tale, Dyar says fans of the books and films will be thrilled with the outcome. She adds audience members from other communities have told her Alice in Wonderland has been their favourite Missoula production.
The cast and crew have been hard at work with rehearsals this week, following auditions and casting on Monday evening, in a whirlwind, week-long process, which Dyar admits can be a lot of work.
"For the kids, the challenge is getting everything learned in a week. It's pretty miraculous how much kids can learn in such a short amount of time."
With the inherent challenges of auditioning, casting, rehearsing and staging a production in less than a week comes plenty of reward, however. Dyar cites a stage in the process, usually a day or so before staging a dress rehearsal, when the youth get the opportunity to see what their peers have been up to.
"That's my personal favourite part of the whole process."
Two performances of Alice in Wonderland are set for Sept. 24 at Martin Exeter Hall (behind the Red Coach Inn) in 100 Mile House at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and they are available at the door.
