The drama club at the Assiniboia Composite High School delighted the audience with their performance of Alice, a one-act play, on February 15 at the ACHS gymnasium. The play, directed by Cheri Cowan, a teacher of English and Arts Education at the high school, was divided into eight scenes. The play was a unique production that involved the audience. As soon as guests stepped through the gymnasium door, they were transported into the world of Alice.
Rather than a traditional theatre spectator seating, tables were arranged in a 鈥渢ea party鈥� style. At each place setting, guests were invited to wear聽 fascinators which added a classic touch to the tea party atmosphere. There was also a head table and flower arrangements at the front of the room that were used for some of the scenes when they moved from stage to audience level.
The set production crew should be commended for聽 all of the small details that brought the audience into the theatre stage space. There were pictures of the Alice characters on the wall, and flower arrangements that created a garden party feel.
The cast promised some surprises for the audience and they delivered. Halfway through the play, the characters came off the stage and staged a tea party scene at the head table space. This scene transited to an intermission and the Alice characters continued their tea party amongst the audience, serving tea and visiting with them while staying in character. This was no easy task considering the tables were filled with friends and relatives who had a lot of questions.
The play was full of understated humour coming from the cast through their many costumes and actions. The Dormouse character was particularly humorous by nodding off during Alice鈥檚 Tea Party among the audience.
The production had plenty of movement and pace, keeping the audience in suspense.
The cast made good use of the stage floor space, lighting and music making this performance truly amazing for all those attending. This version of Alice is a one-act adaptation of the well-known original work written by Lewis Carroll.
