REVIEW: Alice in Wonderland Jnr

‘Alice in Wonderland Jr’ by Nelson Youth Theatre Company. Theatre Royal, 18 April 2025. Reviewed by Kate Ng.

Nelson Youth Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland Jr is a celebration of community theatre.

With over 50 young performers in ‘Cast Ellie’ alone, it bursts with everything that makes these shows such a joy: creativity, enthusiasm and big heart.

The story opens with the question, “Who are you?” and ends with Alice’s triumphant, “I’m Alice - I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.”

It’s a relatable question, and she’s probably not the only one who has gone down a rabbit hole trying to answer it!

But Alice’s journey is a whirlwind of adventure. From the moment the curtains opened, there was something to look at everywhere.

The stage was bursting with colour and chorus members slipped in and out of side doors giving the show extra dimension. The simple, effective choreography added to the pizzazz.

With a huge cast, it worked brilliantly—you could tell the kids were loving it as they sang with joy and gave it their all.

There were also clever additions— an animated clock speeding backwards, umbrellas used in creative ways, a caterpillar metamorphising mid-song, and multiple Alices flipping between scenes as she shrank and grew.

The opening show is always nerve-wracking and they did so well! I encourage the cast to make their movements big and their words slow and clear, so we can soak up every moment of their time in the spotlight.

And that’s what community theatre is about - giving young people the chance to step into the spotlight, be part of something big, and feel proud. And they should feel proud of Alice and Wonderland Jr—you could feel the care, creativity, and energy from everyone involved—onstage and off.

But the White Rabbit is waiting! Quick! Get your tickets from Theatre Royal now!

Alice in Wonderland Jr is on until 26 April. Tickets are available from www.theatreroyalnelson.co.nz/show/alice-in-wonderland-jr/