There are theatrical experiences that entertain, and then there are those that remind you why we go to the theatre in the first place. Cirque Alice belongs firmly in the latter camp.
Direct from the USA, the latest spectacular from the creators behind Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple, The Illusionists and Le Noir transforms Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice in Wonderland into a kaleidoscopic celebration of circus, magic, music and imagination. The result is a show that feels less like watching a performance and more like tumbling headfirst down the rabbit hole.
From the moment the spectacle begins, Cirque Alice captures that intoxicating sense of childhood wonder: that feeling that anything might be possible if you simply allow your imagination to run wild. It is colourful, playful and gloriously whimsical, but beneath the fantasy is an extraordinary display of physical skill.
The international cast is nothing short of phenomenal. Opera, violin, dance, magic, aerial artistry and traditional circus disciplines collide across the stage, with performers demonstrating astonishing levels of strength, flexibility, precision and bravery. Gravity appears to become merely a suggestion as bodies soar, twist and contort in feats that routinely provoke gasps from the audience.
Yet what makes the spectacle particularly effective is the storytelling. Rather than simply presenting a succession of impressive circus acts, Cirque Alice understands the strange, dreamlike possibilities at the heart of Carroll’s world. Each performance feels woven into the larger tapestry of Wonderland, creating a theatrical experience that surrounds its audience and continually invites us further into the fantasy.
And there could hardly be a more fitting home for such a production than Auckland’s magnificent Civic Theatre. Its grand architecture and ornate surroundings become part of the enchantment, elevating the sense that audiences have stepped into another world for the evening.
There are laughs, surprises and a healthy dose of cheeky audience participation, ensuring that Cirque Alice never takes itself too seriously. It is an experience equally suited to a family night out, a memorable date night or simply anyone who wants to escape the grey realities of winter for a couple of hours.
Visually, it is sumptuous. The costumes, production design and dazzling array of performers create a pop-infused dreamscape that feels both contemporary and timeless. It is pure theatrical escapism — a reminder that wonder is something we should never entirely outgrow.
So, follow the White Rabbit.
Fall down the rabbit hole.
And surrender yourself to Wonderland.
Cirque Alice is a spellbinding night of imagination, spectacle and sheer entertainment; the kind of theatrical magic that leaves you staring at the stage in genuine awe, and perhaps believing, just for a little while longer, that anything is possible.
Cirque Alice is currently playing at The Civic Theatre until Sunday 6 October. Get your tickets here.
Image: 818 Entertainment
