Alice in Wonderland is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening in Halifax with a few hundred other people at Point Pleasant Park. 

Shakespeare by the Sea (SBTS) reprises its 2012, collectively-written hit in a clever, fast-paced and funny production with just eight actors creating the silly, mad, fantasy world of Lewis Carroll in very inventive and surprising ways. 

SBTS maintains its tradition of creating powerful visual imagery out of common-place materials in a theatrical magic that goes back to co-founder Patrick Christopher’s pool-noodle, kids’ shows.

The giant Cheshire Cat is rendered in umbrellas. The Jabberwocky is a seething, realistic monster of black-cloaked actors holding giant eyes.

There is a darkness in this Alice; the “off with her head” and a raucous song about Alice’s friends all being dead have their chilling side; the black-hooded denizens of Underland are hissingly scary as they threaten Alice.

However, Alice, herself, beautifully played by the blond-haired, high-spirited Jade Douris-O’Hara, is a character of light and tremendous vitality. She is a heroine who seeks to bring joy, love and magic back to Wonderland in her battle with the evil queen. (During intermission Douris-O’Hara doesn’t take a break; she welcomes little girls to have a picture taken with her.) 

Amaka Umeh’s Queen of Hearts is a menacing character, heartless due to lost love, and continually annoyed by her children, Tweedledum (Daniel Nowbi) and Tweedledee (Raeesa Lalani). This queen  is sarcastic, quick-witted, vain and controlling. 

Umeh’s pent-up fury is on a par with Zach Colangelo’s explosive, unbridled energy as the Cheshire Cat, the slightly sinister friend of Alice’s who speaks in riddles and urges her to use her imagination. Colangelo, dressed in fluffy pinks with a long cat tail and cat ears,  has a great voice and vocal control which they use to the fullest.

The star of this Alice is the ensemble itself as the actors shift quickly in and out of various characters and choral units performing songs composed by Jeremy Hutton. The tea party rap song, with musical direction by Shanoa Phillips and choreography by Douris-O’Hara, is a highlight.

Chris George as the Mad Hatter, wearing a birthday cake hat, and Matt Lacas as the March Hare are a tremendous, high-energy comic team of great verbal interplay and physicality as a duo of tea-drinking friends. 

Raeesa Lalani has a smaller roles as Alice’s sister Margaret and Tweedle Dee but excels as an ensemble singer and actor. Patrick Jeffrey is both the White Rabbit with large carrot-chewing front teeth and a key member of the ensemble.

The second act is particularly rich in cleverly written, wide-ranging and wacky comedy with a manic pace, a great Jabberwocky surprise, pop culture references and lots of laughs. Director Jesse MacLean never lets up on the pace for a great climax.

Téa Stewart’s costumes range from a restrained black and red Queen of Hearts dress to an elaborate gingham-outfitted Dormouse and an amazing, giant, tea table outfit.

Alice in Wonderland runs to August 31, 7 p.m., in the Cambridge Battery, Point Pleasant Park. A ride can be booked if the 15-minute walk is daunting. Tickets at: https://halifax.boldtypetickets.com/events/151815365/alice-in-wonderland

• Laugh, Cry, Love, Learn: Dear Rita is a must-see
• Chased by the Bear: Here’s hoping for a remount! (Plus: KOQM opens fireside Aug. 13)

Categories: Uncategorized