reviews

Three Weeks 4 Star Review

Wonderland is just moments away when you imagine, imagine, imagine... And if you've forgotten how to, this superb reworking of Lewis Carroll's fairytale will have that sorted in no time. After all, a little imagination goes a long way in Wonderland. The production has a fun and vibrant vibe from the offset, and contains every element that a successful children's show should have. Sing-a-long-able songs, magical musical accompaniments and delicious dancing make a feast for both the eyes and ears. Couple this with the interactive nature of the show and fidgety bums are replaced with wide-eyed enthusiasm as we drink tea, obey the queen and confess that we are all just a little bit mad (as a hatter).

ThreeWeeks rating: 4/5

published: Aug-2008, Lucy Knighton

http://edinburgh.threeweeks.co.uk/review/4022

The Stage

Reading Alice in bed, Miriam drops into a zany dreamland where a hatless Mad Hatter plays cricket on a rocking chair while a dormouse sings to her guitar accompanied by a smart-suited White Rabbit ("Mr W Rabbit, please!") on a saxophone.

For Ben Harrison’s post-modern Wonderland and Looking Glass (adapted by Jo Kennedy), performed with huge zest and great humour by the five-strong A Single Leaf cast, gives Lewis Carroll’s lovable characters surprising twists.

They dare not utter Alice’s name and fear a Queen of Hearts bent on destroying all books – especially those two. Yet the tea party must go on, and dreaded Jabberwocky must be defeated, (a splendid mini epic). But where is Alice, or is Miriam the new Alice, or will she find the real one? On her surreal journey she meets London schoolkids Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, ever-complaining Humpty Dumpty and black-booted, brassy Queen of Hearts, who unleashes fearful havoc. Then real ‘Queen’ Alice finally sets all to rights, and young Miriam can return to her bedroom.

A Single Leaf deserves high praise for a splendid debut show which rollicks along, utterly delighting the audience. Thomas Coombes triumphs as the non-stop Mad Hatter, Lorna Shaw is a most endearing dormouse, Jo Kennedy a pantomimewicked Queen of Hearts, Minyahil Kifle-Giorgis a jazzy White Rabbit and Sara Marie Bradley a winsome little girl lost Miriam. Quick-paced movement, quality costumes and crazy songs boost the appeal, and Jessica Swale’s direction never fails. This is a must see family show!

Review by Brian G Cooper

Published online at 12:17 on Tuesday 05 August 2008

http://ed.thestage.co.uk/reviews/145

Audience Reviews

Primary Times

31 July - 25 August

This is a great show for all kids to see, my two girls who are 6 & 9 loved it and giggles the whole way through, as did us parents. It is 5 actors playing several parts very well and time passed too quickly - I'd recommend this to all.

Katie 6 says "Very funny, it was good, I liked the rabbit and the mad hatter and I'd liked the Dormouse who kept falling asleep! And I liked Queen Alice and the Queen of Hearts".

Beth 9 says "When the book was in the back of the Queens Dress it made me laugh, and Alice tried to take it off - it was very funny. I liked it when the Dormouse kept falling asleep playing the guitar".

http://www.primarytimes.net/reviews_theatre.php

Edfringe.com

5 Stars

Joe and Jared, England

Really good show - very enjoyable 22 Aug 2008

We watched this show on a rainy Edinburgh day and it really helped to lift everyone's mood. The acting is first rate and the story is well paced with a good mix of song, action, and drama. I thought the only weak part of the script was the humpty dumpty scene that seemed to have nothing to do with the main plot line, but otherwise a really really good show and my 7 year old said it was the best show of the fringe so far, and he's seen most of the kid's shows on this year.

5 Stars

T&P, Scotland

excellent!!!! 16 Aug 2008

We saw them at their opening show and they were fab! such a delight well done am happy to recommend this to everyone xx

5 Stars

Iain, Scotland

Looking Good 03 Aug 2008

Haven't seen the whole show, but saw them perform part of it at a review session. Professional actors, great costumes, live music, interesting story. Will be seeking them out.