About the Ballet

Few books of any kind are as unique and have left such an imprint on culture as Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Beneath its surface blend of fantasy, nonsense, outlandish characters and a vivid dreamworld—an irresistible blend, especially for children—the book has a subterranean reach extending into the realms of philosophy, language, psychology and even mathematics. This has always made it an attractive text for other creative artists and choreographers are no exception. 

The renowned British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has brought his distinctive and imaginative sensibility to Carroll’s inimitable tale and created a ballet like no other. Merging his trademark neo-classical style with the wild variety of movement afforded by Carroll’s characters, Wheeldon, along with composer Joby Talbot and set and costume wizard Bob Crowley, has shaped a visual and choreographic extravaganza that appeals to both children and adults. Lavish, startling, hilarious and boldly original, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is a theatrical celebration of the liberating power of one of the great texts of childhood—and of all time.

“A brilliantly theatrical, superbly designed extravaganza of color and costume, madcap action and fluent dance” The New York Times

View Gallery

Synopsis

Alice Primer

Alice by the Numbers

Wheeldon on Wonderland

Lewis Carroll: An Uncoventional Character

Reviews

“Alice is a monumental piece of dance art. The lavish combination of choreography, projections, sets, costumes and original music is a veritable assault on the senses. To further gild the lily, the company dances up a storm. The dancers have never looked better and there is strength in the ranks.” — The Globe and Mail,

“An exhilarating spectacle that combines the ‘wow’ factor of a hit Broadway show with stagecraft wizardry that would be the envy of Robert Lepage... A landmark theatrical event not to be missed.” — Maclean’s Magazine

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland explodes with bright ideas… full of visual delights inspired by the book.” — The Washington Post

Casting

Alice
Jillian Vanstone (March 7, 9, 10, 14, 16 at 7:30 pm)
Elena Lobsanova (March 8, 15 at 7:30 pm)
Miyoko Koyasu* (March 9, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 12 at 7:30 pm)
Emma Hawes* (March 10, 17 at 2:00 pm/March 13 at 7:30 pm)

Jack/The Knave of Hearts
Francesco Gabriele Frola* (March 7, 9, 10 at 7:30 pm)
Harrison James* (March 8, 13, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 10, 17 at 2:00 pm)
Skylar Campbell* (March 9, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 12 at 7:30 pm)
Naoya Ebe (March 14, 16 at 7:30 pm)

Lewis Carroll/The White Rabbit
Skylar Campbell (March 7, 10, 14 at 7:30 pm)
Brendan Saye* (March 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 pm)
Siphesihle November* (March 9, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 12 at 7:30 pm)
Christopher Gerty* (March 10, 17 at 2:00 pm/March 13 at 7:30 pm)

Mother/The Queen of Hearts
Greta Hodgkinson (March 7, 9, 16 at 7:30 pm)
Svetlana Lunkina (March 8, 15 at 7:30 pm)
Heather Ogden* (March 9 at 2:00 pm/March 10, 14 at 7:30 pm)
Hannah Fischer* (March 10, 17 at 2:00 pm/March 13 at 7:30 pm)
Tanya Howard (March 12 at 7:30 pm/March 16 at 2:00 pm)

Father/The King of Hearts
Rex Harrington (March 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 at 7:30 pm/March 10, 17 at 2:00 pm)
Brent Parolin* (March 8, 12, 15 at 7:30 pm/March 9, 16 at 2:00 pm)

Magician/Mad Hatter
Donald Thom† (March 7, 8, 9, 15, 16 at 7:30 pm)
Chelsy Meiss* (March 9, 16 at 2:00 pm/March 12 at 7:30 pm)
Ben Rudisin (March 10, 17 at 2:00 pm/March 13 at 7:30 pm)
Jack Bertinshaw (March 10, 14 at 7:30 pm)

* Debut
†Company Debut

All casting subject to change.

Credits

Choreography:
Christopher Wheeldon

Music:
Joby Talbot

Orchestrated by:
Christopher Austin and Joby Talbot

Scenario:
Nicholas Wright

Set and Costume Design:
Bob Crowley

Lighting Design:
Natasha Katz

Projection Design:
Jon Driscoll and Gemma Carrington

Sound Design:
Andrew Bruce for Autograph

A co-production of The National Ballet of Canada and The Royal Ballet (UK).

Lead philanthropic support for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is provided by an anonymous friend of the National Ballet with additional support generously provided by The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, Richard M. Ivey, C.C., Rosamond Ivey, Judith & Robert Lawrie and Wallace McCain & Margaret McCain, C.C.