Since its first production in 2011, the success of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has solidified the reputation of composer Joby Talbot and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s partnership in their ability to create engaging and entertaining contemporary narrative ballet. The co-production between Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company, the Royal Ballet and Opera and The National Ballet of Canada now heads to Milan for a run of performances from May 21-30.
Koen Kessels conducts the orchestra of Teatro Alla Scala, whilst the creative team includes: Bob Crowley, sets and costumes; Nicholas Wright, scenario; Natasha Katz, lights; Jon Driscoll & Gemma Carrington, projections.
The production brings an explosion of colours, innovative and sophisticated choreography, imaginative and astonishing costumes and sets – from puppetry to projections – and a score that combines contemporary sound worlds with sweeping melodies that gesture to ballet scores of the 19th century. With Alice, we are drawn into a myriad of adventures and encounters; the extraordinary and recognisable characters from Lewis Carroll’s books provide the opportunity for the artists to shine in a variety of styles, even winking at the great 19th-century ballets: how can one resist the Queen of Hearts in a hilarious send-up of the Rose Adage.
