Atlas Movement Company: Wonderland

Atlas Movement Company - WonderlandThis is a modest production by a young company on a very small stage, but clearly much enjoyed by the youngsters and their parents in attendance. From the repeating wordplay, to the well-timed audience interactions and the inclusion of a just-scary-enough Queen of Hearts, this concise reworking of Alice in Wonderland demonstrates throughout a keen understanding of the craft of children’s theatre. The casting is also spot-on, exemplified by the interactions of narrators Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum: a naughty buffoon and a likeable Everyman. As the company name suggests, there is plenty of energetic physicality, with dynamic and well-choreographed ensemble work, including a wonderfully Shiva-esque portrayal of the caterpillar. The script is pacey, effective and efficient, and accompanied by live music that puts the humble recorder to simple but highly effective use.

The only section that seemed ready for improvement was the Mad Hatter’s tea-party dance, which would perhaps have benefitted from an accompanying song. The end also arrives somewhat abruptly and at just under 30 minutes it feels a bit like a showcase for their talents, rather than a completed piece of theatre. The craft and talent on display would certainly suggest they are ready to extend the show, which would also allow the rest of the cast of eight to expand their roles – I’d certainly be happy to hear more from the funny little Dormouse. This is a well-directed and enjoyable piece and certainly a company to watch.

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About Matt Rudkin

Matt Rudkin is a theatre maker and teacher who creates work as Inconvenient Spoof. He has a BA in Creative Arts, an MA in Performance Studies, and studied with Philippe Gaulier (London), and The Actors Space (Spain). He was founder and compere of Edinburgh’s infamous Bongo Club Cabaret, concurrently working as maker and puppeteer with The Edinburgh Puppet Company. He has toured internationally as a street theatre performer with The Incredible Bull Circus, and presented more experimental work at The Green Room, CCA, Whitstable Biennale, ICA, Omsk and Shunt Lounge. He is also a Senior Lecturer in Theatre and Visual Art at the University of Brighton.