REVIEW: ‘Cirque Alice’ takes audiences into Wonderland with breathtaking circus spectacle
What if falling down a rabbit hole meant entering a world where bodies bend beyond imagination, performers soar above the stage, and even a simple tea party could turn into a spectacle? In Cirque Alice, the familiar world of Lewis Carroll’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, becomes a playground for circus artistry, inviting audiences to leave reality behind and embrace the extraordinary.
Presented by GMG Productions in association with Tim Lawson and Simon Painter, the two-hour production combines aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, comedy, and music. Rather than simply retelling the beloved story, Cirque Alice uses its familiar characters as a gateway to a series of circus acts, each offering its own mix of danger, wonder, and surprise.
Alice (Layla Chillert) guides the audience through this curious world, connecting the different performances with her sense of wonder and curiosity. While she remains central to the story, her role is more about leading the adventure than performing the most elaborate circus feats. The spectacle largely belongs to the performers around her, who bring Wonderland’s impossible world to life through their physical skills.
Nonetheless, she delivers songs with impressive high notes that add another layer to the show’s theatrical experience
GMG Productions One of the production’s most effective touches is the violin played by the White Rabbit (Raphael Papo). As aerialists fly through the air and acrobats execute their routines, his rapid melodies heighten the tension and give the acts a sense of urgency. The music becomes more than background accompaniment, helping intensify the audience’s anticipation with every daring movement.
The show establishes its energy early through The Tweedles (Temesgen Adole Zada and Leul Derreje Ashebir), whose acrobatics bring an impressive display of coordination. Their performance immediately draws attention to the physical skill behind the spectacle, setting the tone for the acts that follow.
The Mad Hatter (Darren “Dizzy” Partridge) is another standout, bringing eccentricity and comedy to the production. His distinctive appearance, playful personality, and interactions with the audience make him one of the most memorable characters on stage. Although some jokes do not land as strongly as others, his larger-than-life presence brings lightness to the show’s more intense sequences. However, more spontaneous audience interactions could make his unpredictable madness even more entertaining.
GMG Productions Among the evening’s most astonishing acts is the Caterpillar’s (Munkjhin Tuvd, Bayarmaa Ganbat, Shinechimeg Otgonbayar, and Dolgosuren Ganold) contortion performance. The Caterpillar performers twist and fold their bodies into seemingly impossible shapes, moving in such remarkable coordination that they sometimes appear to become one. The audience’s audible gasps reflect just how impressive the performance is.
GMG Productions The Dormouse (Daniel Onofre) offers a different kind of suspense through a rola-bola balancing act. Standing on a board supported by cylindrical rollers, the Dormouse gradually adds more rollers beneath it, pushing the limits of balance and concentration. With every addition, the audience watches closely, anticipating the slightest wobble. Without relying on elaborate effects, the act creates genuine tension through the performer’s precision and control. It is a quietly gripping moment that proves a simple setup can be just as captivating as a high-flying routine. Meanwhile, the Flamingos (Duo Daylight) deliver another memorable performance, combining grace, trust, and a palpable sense of risk. As the performers lift and carry one another through the air, their movements remain fluid and coordinated despite the heights involved. The act has an emotional quality, with their chemistry adding tenderness to the spectacle. It is both nerve-racking and beautiful to watch, and one of the production’s strongest displays of aerial artistry.
GMG Productions The White King (Matthieu Cloutier) and White Queen (Myriam Lessard) offer a graceful contrast through their roller-skating performance. Dressed in white, the pair glides alongside each other with impressive coordination and chemistry. Their smooth movements and control at speed create a polished visual moment, showing that the show’s appeal lies not only in daring feats but also in the elegance of performers working in sync.
Some of the other characters, including the March Hare, Snap-Dragonfly, Queen of Hearts, and The Knights add variety to the journey through Wonderland, each bringing a different personality and style to the stage. While their performances may not be as immediately striking as the show’s more daring circus acts, they help build the world of the story and keep the adventure moving toward its more dramatic moments.
The stage setting and lighting help establish the world of Cirque Alice, adding atmosphere to the performers’ movements and the transitions between scenes. While the set could have explored more of Wonderland’s whimsical and dreamlike visuals, the dancers dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland help bring the stage to life. Their colorful costumes and coordinated movements add to the production’s grandness, filling the space with energy and giving the audience more to take in.
GMG Productions Ultimately, Cirque Alice is at its strongest when it lets the circus artistry speak for itself. While not every character receives an equally memorable moment, the production offers enough visual surprises, daring feats, and theatrical charm to keep audiences curious about what comes next.
Directed by Lachlan Greenland, Cirque Alice runs from October 17 to 25, 2026, at The Theatre at Solaire.