PROLOGUE SCENE 1 DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE SCENE 2 ADVICE FROM THE CATERPILLAR SCENE 3 TWEEDLE DUM & TWEEDLE DEE SCENE 4 A MAD TEA PARTY SCENE 5 A RATTLE BATTLE SCENE 6 A GAME OF CROQUET SCENE 7 WHO STOLE THE TARTS? EPILOGUE
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR Hello and welcome to Wonderland! ‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. These words begin our play. They are, of course, the opening lines of Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll’s most well-known poem. In this retelling of Alice’s story, I want to celebrate the playfulness of Carroll’s language. Alice herself says the poem ‘somehow… seems to fill [her] head with ideas’ even though she doesn’t fully understand what it means. What better invitation to enter a world of new words, upside-down logic, preposterous creatures, and bad manners? I’ve sourced characters, dialogue, and poems from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking-Glass, The Hunting of the Snark and Rhyme? And Reason? (a collection of Carroll’s poems). I love the idea of introducing a child to theatre - or indeed continuing an existing love for it - with a story that celebrates wild imagination and creativity through humour and beautiful, yet silly, language. Down the rabbit hole we go! Penny Farrow Adapter/ Original Direction
A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCER O what a frabjous day it is to be tumbling down the rabbit hole and welcoming you to this performance of Alice in Wonderland at the magnificent Sydney Coliseum Theatre. When we first staged this production in the quaint 200 seat Visy Theatre at the Brisbane Powerhouse eight years ago, I never imagined (nor intended) to continually find myself “falling down the rabbit hole” year after year, presenting our adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic in the most iconic venues throughout Australia and the United States. Perhaps it’s no real surprise that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass are among the most frequently adapted and reinterpreted stories ever written. Alice falls down a rabbit hole, and steps through a mirror, into worlds where anything can happen, where even the sense of self is transformed: where a drink can make you shrink and a mushroom can make you grow; where flowers and animals and playing cards all speak but logic and learning slip out of grasp. No wonder then, really, that reinventing Lewis Carroll’s fantastical, nonsensical creations into new forms has always proved irresistible to many including myself. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1866, and its equally delightful 1871 sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, have inspired generations of artists working in all sorts of media, from film to theatre, fine art to pop music. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will forever remain my most cherished work of fiction and it is an absolute honor to continue this legacy. I hope Lewis Carroll will be proud that we have remained as true as possible to the source material. My sincere gratitude goes to my fabulous producing partners, Bonnie Lythgoe and Christopher Wood of Bonnie Lythgoe Productions, Tim Lawson of TML Enterprise, Sam Klingner of SK Entertainment, Trish Charan and her wonderful team at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre for their efforts to bring this production of Alice in Wonderland to Sydney. “O frabjous day! Callooh Callay!” Ethan Walker Executive & Creative Producer
CAST Éowyn Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice Lucy Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . White Rabbit Simon Burvell-Holmes . . . . . . . . . Queen Of Hearts & Cheshire Cat Catherine Glavicic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mad Hatter Anthony Craig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caterpillar & Dormouse Elliot Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March Hare Justine Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tweedle Dum Matilda Simmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tweedle Dee
CAST ÉOWYN TURNER | ALICE Éowyn has a passion for all things theatrical and is Alice in Wonderland’s youngest cast member to ever perform in the production. She is classically trained in ballet, jazz and acrobatics considers herself to be very fortunate to have spent her youth growing up in the theatre and rehearsal room, observing her Playwright and Director Mother, Penny Farrow. At age eight, she was a guest artist in Griffith University’s 3rd Year revue Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens, which toured to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Éowyn is the youngest member in the cast and thrilled to be once again be playing the title role of “Alice”. LUCY FOX | WHITE RABBIT Lucy is a Melbourne based actor, singer and physical comedian. With a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Theatre) from The University of Southern Queensland (2011), Fox has since trained in clown, bouffon, mask and physical theatre. Fox is a founding member of multi award-winning comedy trio The Travelling Sisters. Together, they have performed around the world in festivals such as Edinburgh Fringe, Prague Fringe, MICF, and Woodford Folk Festival. She won best actor in a web series at Dublin International Comedy Film Festival 2020. Fox also currently sings with Melbourne band Champagne Jacket. Lucy is excited to join the Australian cast of Alice in Wonderland. SIMON BURVELL-HOLMES | QUEEN OF HEARTS & CHESHIRE CAT English native, Simon trained at NIDA graduating in 1979. During the past forty years, he has worked on over one hundred professional productions for most of Australia’s State Theatre Companies. His work has taken him on national tours around Australia and internationally including New Zealand, Thailand and Hong Kong. His most recent role was Colonel Sondermire in a Girls Guide to World War, which played seasons in both, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Simon is an original cast member and is delighted to once again be appearing in the role of the Queen of Hearts.
CAST (continued) CATHERINE GLAVICIC | MAD HATTER Catherine’s career spans over 20 years across the stage and screen. Classically trained, her love of Shakespeare has seen her perform in Coriolanus, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Romeo & Juliet. She trained in clown, voice, and stage combat with Shakespeare & Co in Lenox, Massachusetts, USA and holds a Bachelor degree in Acting from the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba. Her TV credits include Underbelly Razor, Love Me, Mustangs FC, Party Tricks and Romper Stomper. Catherine most recently appeared in the film Relic. Theatre credits include Man of Mode, Detached, Oil Babies, The Importance of Being Earnest, Six and Out, and A View from Moving Windows. Catherine is a proud member of MEAA and very much looking forward to donning the Mad Hatter’s “Hat” once again. ANTHONY CRAIG | CATERPILLAR & DORMOUSE Anthony Craig is a versatile performer and multiinstrumentalist, embraced by Aussie audiences and known for his banjo playing, character work and comic flair. After completing a Musical Theatre degree at the Queensland Conservatorium in 2014, he went on to gain international experience in feature films and on stage. Recent credits include Once (Darlinghurst Theatre Company), The Gruffalo’s Child (CDP Productions), Into the Woods (Watch This), Ernani (Opera Australia) and upcoming feature film Woody Woodpecker 2 (Universal). He starred in the one-man show Private Peaceful (MLP) and was nominated for ‘Best Actor in an Independent Production’ at the 2020 Green Room Awards. In 2020, Anthony also created the award-winning children’s entertainment group Story Surprise with his wife Lauren, and has the time of his life producing music, live performances and videos for families all over the world. Most recently, Anthony was proud to be the co-writer and musical director of Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s hit new family musical: Outback Adventures.
CAST (continued) ELLIOT BAKER | MARCH HARE Originally from the Gold Coast, Elliot graduated with a Bachelor of Economics at QUT before commencing the Bachelor of Musical Theatre program at The Queensland Conservatorium of Music. After graduating in 2017 Elliot has performed Herman/Big Daddy in Sweet Charity (Woodward Prod.), Male Swing in Friends! The Musical Parody (SK Entertainment), March Hare in Alice in Wonderland (Broadway Haus), Nick Massi in Jersey Boys (LHI). He also appears annually in A Very Naughty Christmas (Woodward Prod.). Elliot returned from an 18-month stint in London where he played Basil Fawlty in the Fawlty Towers tribute show. JUSTINE ANDERSON | TWEEDLE DUM Justine began her career when she was invited to join the TN! Theatre Ensemble. She has worked extensively with Queensland Theatre Company, La Boite Theatre, K.I.T.E., Toadshow, Queensland Arts Council and the Australian Music Theatre. Her most recent credit was playing alongside her Husband, Simon (Queen of Hearts) in the role of Josephine in the Brisbane season of Girl’s Guide to World War. MATILDA SIMMONS | TWEEDLE DEE Matilda has love performing since age five, when she would stage shows with her siblings in her parent’s living room. Since graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Acting in 2020, Matilda has continued her pursuit for the love of the arts, appearing in Comedy of Errors (Apt. 13 Productions) and various short films. Matilda is thrilled to be returning to Alice in Wonderland.
CREATIVES ETHAN WALKER | EXECUTIVE & CREATIVE PRODUCER Brisbane native, Ethan Walker’s showbiz career began when he dropped out of high school at the age of sixteen to join the cast of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. His career has since taken him to over 30 countries throughout the world. Ethan’s most recent triumph is his stage adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, which has played to packed houses and critical acclaim, both in Australia and the US including seasons in New York and Los Angeles. In Australia and New Zealand, Walker produced Menopause The Musical and The Big Bubble Show, in Las Vegas THRONES! The Musical Parody and the original musical revue Piano Man for Planet Hollywood. In Branson, Missouri Walker produced IRELAND – The Show for Silver Dollar City. His Company Road Management credits include the arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar (The Really Useful Group) and The Naked Magicians (SK Entertainment). Ethan has called the United States home for the past twenty years and currently resides in Honolulu, Hawai’i. BONNIE LYTHGOE | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Bonnie Lythgoe’s achievements as an actress To Sir With Love, professional dancer BBC’s The Young Generation, choreographer, director, TV and Broadway producer are second to none. Lythgoe’s early success as a choreographer including being commissioned by the Royal Family to choreograph The Children’s Royal Variety Show led to a career as producer / director of numerous West End productions. Lythgoe came to American public attention as a TV producer for ‘American Idol’ and judge on the television hit ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ USA. She also served as a judge on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Australia. Bonnie Lythgoe, the official PATRON OF WORLD DANCE, cites working with the legendary “Gene Kelly” as one of her most treasured memories.
CREATIVES (continued) CHRISTOPHER WOOD | EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Christopher Wood has been involved in the Entertainment Industry for the last 40 years. His creative skills have been much in demand in every facet of the theater world, from opera, ballet, music, drama, and light entertainment, His London West End credits include Evita, Cats, The Sound Of Music and Buddy. Woods was particularly privileged to be involved with the Nelson Mandela Concert at Wembley Stadium in 1988. In addition, he is proud to have served as the Stage Director for several Royal Galas presided over by Royal Family members, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. PENNY FARROW | WRITER & DIRECTOR As director: Alice in Wonderland (Broadway Haus, Inc), Songs for Sarah Connor (QPAC/ Melbourne Comedy Festival), Just a Phase/ Songs So Far (Powerhouse), Little Shop of Horrors (RMT), The (New) Adventures of Captain Senses, Round and Round the Mulberry Bush (Fame Theatre Co. schools tours), The Boyfriend, The Drowsy Chaperone, Babes In Arms, Dogfight, Carousel, Godspell, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens, Working! A Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Queensland Conservatorium, Performing Arts, Griffith University).
CREATIVES (continued) NATE BERTONE | CO-DIRECTOR, DESIGNER & CO-PRODUCER As a New York City based theatrical storyteller, Nate is a member of The Dramatists Guild and USA829 and works as a playwright/director, scenic designer, and producer. On Broadway, he recently Co-Produced How to Dance in Ohio, which is currently running at the Belasco Theatre. Working often on World Premieres, he has designed May We All, Mystic Pizza, Dracula, Punk Rock Girl!, The Nutcracker, and many more. Nate’s directing and design work has also appeared with Disney’s D23 Expo, Google, Broadway Sacramento, Ballet Memphis, Ogunquit Playhouse, Bucks County, NSMT, The Rev, TBTS, and more. As the Associate to Beowulf Boritt: Be More Chill (West End/Japan), Crazy for You (LCT), Superhero (2ST). Assistant to: New York, New York, Freestyle Love Supreme, A Bronx Tale (Broadway). His plays Letters From War and The SeaView Nursing Home for the Newly Deceased are currently in development. His children’s book “Nana, Nana” will be published in the USA in September 2024. Represented by Gersh Agency. Carnegie Mellon Alumnus. Dean’s Scholar at Central Saint Martins, London. @natebertone, natebertone.com EVAN JOLLY | COMPOSER Evan Jolly is one of the world’s most in-demand music composers for both stage and screen. His Broadway and West End credits include The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible, The Illusionists: Turn of the Century, Circus 1903, Thriller, and The Genius of Ray Charles. He has composed for major films such as Aquaman (Warner Bros. Pictures), Wonder Woman (DC Films), Hacksaw Ridge, and award-winning TV series Catherine the Great, The Crown, Midsomer Murders, The Split, and Catch 22.
CREATIVES (continued) CHRIS BARLOW | PUPPET DESIGNER & BUILDER Chris is the UK’s leading puppet designer, builder and props fabricator. His most recent credit includes puppet design and creation for the national UK tour if Mother Goose staring Sir Ian McKellen. He has created puppets for Doctor Who, Cheebies, Feeling Better, Worzel Gummidge, Zapped, Yonderland and has worked on international campaigns for NIKE, Pepsi, Duracell, Tums, Old Spice and Esso. His work can be seen internationally in theme parks and resorts including Legoland, Sea Life Centers, Roompot and The Maho Group. DEITER BARRY | PROPS & PUPPET DESIGNER Deiter Barry is an Australian based artist specializing in bringing imagination to life through his expertise in set, prop and puppet design and fabrication. With nearly 20 years industry experience, he has worked with many talented artists and directors both nationally and internationally on films, theatre productions, walk through attractions and exhibitions, collaborating with companies including Disney, Cirque Du Soleil, Australian Ballet, David Atkins Enterprises, Victorian Opera, Google and NICA. GAYLE MACGREGOR | COSTUMING Gayle MacGregor is one of Australia’s leading costuming professionals. Theatrical credits include Black Diggers (Queensland Theatre Company), Shakespeare in Love (Melbourne Theatre Company), Three (Australasian Dance Collective). Film and Television credits include Ladies in Black, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Miss Fisher and The Crypt of Tears, Young Rock Series 1. Gayle is a Churchill fellow, and the recipient of a Matilda Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to theatre costuming.
CREATIVES (continued) DIANA EDEN | COSTUMING After a career as a dancer and actress on Broadway, Diana Eden spent 30 years in Hollywood, costume designing prime time television series, pilots, TV movies and feature films, plus dozens of stage productions both in Los Angeles and New York. Diana Ross, Ann-Margret, Cloris Leachman, Betty White, Matt Damon and George Clooney are among the many top Hollywood performers she has costumed. Eden received an Emmy nomination for A League of Their Own, plus two more Emmy nominations for NBC’s Passions. She has won four Drama-Logue Awards and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Award. Alice in Wonderland marks her fourth stage production collaborating with Producer, Ethan Walker.
FOR BROADWAY HAUS & BONNIE LYTHGOE PRODUCTIONS CO-PRODUCERS: Nate Bertone & Anthony Street STAGE MANAGER: Samantha Holstein TOURING PRODUCTION MANAGER & SOUND DESIGNER: Thomas Hawker LIGHTING DESIGNER: Jeremy Dehn HEAD OF LIGHTING: Brendon Duncan HEAD OF WARDROBE: Cortnee Jarvis ADDITIONAL COSTUMES: Janet Hine WRITING CONTRIBUTOR: Phil Scott SCENIC CONSTRUCTION: Form Imagination COSTUME DESIGN: Ethan Walker ADDITIONAL COSTUME DESIGN: Diana Eden, Gayle MacGregor & Janet Hine WIG MAINTENANCE: Kellie Ritchie WEBSITE DESIGN: Emptyhead Digital PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHY: James Terry, Dan Molloy & Robert Catto PUBLIC RELATIONS: Amanda Buckworth MARKETING & ADVERTISING: Anthem Co. ACCOUNTANT: PG&A Accountants GRAPHIC DESIGN: Donovan Graphics & Rogue Studios PROGRAM DESIGN: Jean-Luc Quevauvilliers
FOR SYDNEY COLISEUM THEATRE GENERAL MANAGER: Trish Charan TECHNICAL MANAGER: Ed Tolland THEATRE SERVICE MANAGER: Pramila Arumugam TICKETING MANAGER: Shane Abdur FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER: Ian Zammit HOSPITALITY MANAGER: Erica Ivancic TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR-SOUND: Florenz Becker TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR-LIGHTING: Oliver Raftery HEAD MECHANIST: Kaylan Koks STAGE DOOR CONCIERGE: Larney Tupu & Denison Deligero
WEST HQ EXECUTIVES CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Richard Errington CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Peter Adams CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Michaela Chan GENERAL MANAGER, LEGAL & HUMAN RESOURCES: Amanda Stephens EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER, FOOD & BEVERAGE: Neville Alexander
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Bonnie Lythgoe Productions, Michael Boyd, Brisbane Powerhouse, Pramila Arumugam, Nate Bertone, Trish Charan, Adam Gardnir, Samuel Klingner, Sydney Coliseum Theatre Staff, Tim Lawson, Penny Farrow, Ian Reeves-Smith, Phil Scott, Jean-Luc Quevauvilliers, Brad Walker, Julie Walker & Nathan Weyers www.aliceinwonderlandlive.com