As the world wishes Alice a very happy 150th unbirthday, we've rounded up the best celebrations taking place around the country...
It's one of the most timeless classics in British literary history, and as Alice In Wonderland celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, we've rounded up the best events taking place around the country. Cheshire cat not included (unfortunately). LONDON Alice Underground WHAT: Immersive theatre is all the rage these days, but we've never experienced anything quite like this. Located in the maze-like depths of Waterloo's Vaults, you and your fellow audience members will be led (literally) through a slightly-sinister interpretation of Wonderland - confronting an array of unstable characters (watch out for the bafflingly acrobatic Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, or you might get your hair wet), hiding from the Queen of Hearts, and even joining the Mad Hatter for a spot of afternoon tea. Sure, so it's probably one of the weirdest (and most wonderful) theatre events to take place this summer, but it's got to be one of the best, too. WHEN: Until August 31st. HOW MUCH: £36
Amba’s Alice’s Adventures Underground Afternoon Tea WHAT: To add to the magic, Amba Hotel Charing Cross has joined forces with Les Enfants Terribles theatre company, creators of Alice's Adventures Underground, to offer a special Wonderland themed afternoon tea. Enjoy a feast of tea-time treats inspired by Alice's encounters with all those deliciously eccentric characters, including the Hatter, Humpty Dumpty and, of course, one decidedly drowsy Dormouse. WHEN: Until August 31st HOW MUCH: £35 YORKSHIRE Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland WHAT: Sneaky Experience is putting on a celebratory evening for the book with film adaptations of the novel (including Tim Burton’s 2010 adaptation among others) at a pop up open air cinema in the gothic Kirkstall Abbey. Afterwards the guests will party in the Sneaky Experience’s ‘Wonderland Experience’, offering visitors the chance to step into the pages of the book, meet all its classical characters, hunt for the white rabbit with Alice, be dragged off to play croquet with the ‘Queen of Tarts Hearts’, watch Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee’s comedy act, relax with the Caterpillar in his chill out area and attend the Mad Hatters Tea Party. WHEN: Wednesday 5th August/ Thursday 6th August/ Friday 7th August (7pm) HOW MUCH: £15
Northern Belle presents The Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea PartyWHAT: Board the Belmond Northern Belle Train for an Alice in Wonderland inspired round trip through Britain’s beautiful countryside. On board the train there will be entertainment from strolling magicians and a table magician as well as afternoon tea with a twist, including purple sandwiches, cakes and scones. WHEN:Many dates spanning 26th July – 21st NovemberHOW MUCH: £195 per person
DEVON Alice in Wonderland fundraiser event at Glazebrook House Hotel WHAT: The Glazebrook House Hotel in Devon is inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’ with signature décor themed around the book, riddles on the hotel signs and other A.I.W inspired decorative oddities. In order to raise money for the Devon Ambulance, the hotel is putting on a lavish event with a Mad Hatter’s Welcome Tea, entertainment, Alice-inspired cocktails and canapés, a fundraising auction and a 6-course sit-down ‘Wonderland’ tasting menu, followed by a live band and dancing. WHEN: Saturday 4th July (4.30pm) HOW MUCH: £85 per person
Somersault presents Alice in Wonderland WHAT: Pyratix Circus are creating their own Wonderland for families, with a selection of Alice themed games, experiences and workshops. There will be top hat making, a tattoo parlour, a glitter boutique, storytelling, cupcake decorating and the Mad Hatter’s tea party. WHEN: 23rd – 27th July HOW MUCH: Free
SCOTLAND Alice in Wonderland WHAT: an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, filled with animals animation and action, “from, sparkling butterflies to pink flamingos and everything in-between”. WHEN: Friday 14th August – Saturday 22nd August HOW MUCH: £8-10
Croquet Tea Party at Lauriston Castle WHAT: Inspired by ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, enjoy a game of ‘Queens of Hearts’ croquet on the lawns of Lauriston, then decorate some spectacular cakes and biscuits for a special tea party in the Glasshouse. WHEN: Sunday 5th July HOW MUCH: £4 per person
SUFFOLK Brandon Country Park presents Alice in Wonderland WHAT: Shoestring Theatre presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in the magical setting of the Walled garden. Walk with Alice as she meets many of the character in Wonderland and follow the magical path of the Novel. WHEN: 12th July 2015 (10.30pm – 4pm HOW MUCH: £3 per person
OXFORD Alice’s Day WHAT: Oxford is where the story of Alice In Wonderland was first made up and told to 10-year-old Alice Liddell by Lewis Carroll to entertain her during a boat trip. ‘Alice’s Day’ is therefore a yearly celebration of the book and its Oxford roots, hosted by The Story Museum but executed across 20 venues around Oxford, transforming the city into Wonderland for the day. There is music, art exhibitions, storytelling, croquet, tea parties, dancing and singing, ‘Wonderwalks’ and this year over 150 members of the public hired to play the cast around Oxford, you can apply online to be one of the many Alices circulating Oxford. WHEN: Saturday 4th July (All Day) HOW MUCH: Free (but small ticket prices for a few of the optional events – e.g. Wonderwalk - £10
BRIGHTON Croquet on the Lawn WHAT: Play croquet Alice in Wonderland-style at Preston Manor with flamingos for mallets and playing cards for hoops. WHEN:17th June – 17th July HOW MUCH: £10 per ticket
EXETER Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland WHAT: Come to Blists Hill Victorian Town dressed as Alice or another character from Carroll’s novel and take part in the mad Hatter’s Tea Party, join the Queen of hearts for a game of croquet, follow a clue-led trail around the town to find the Cheshire Cat, watch cameo mimes and scenes from the book performed by costumed characters from theatre groups. WHEN: 26th-27th July HOW MUCH: Free
