Book: Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson
Music: Duncan Sheik
Lyrics: Steven Sater
Director: Alessandra Davison
Graduating MA Musical Theatre students from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) are performing several shows at the Fringe, and Alice by Heart is a great vehicle for their skills.
In a London tube station, sheltering from the bombs of World War II, an assortment of frightened citizens gathers. There are medics, orphans, a traumatised soldier, a very sick young man with TB (Alfred) and his friend Alice. The medics have given up on his chances of survival, but Alice won’t, and she decides to read him her favourite book from childhood, Alice in Wonderland. But then the book is snatched away, and she must recall it by heart. She’s Alice, of course, Alfred is the White Rabbit, and the other people around them transform into a multitude of characters from the story, although familiar elements begin to morph into something darker. Alice wants to escape into the restorative power of the story, and the innocence of childhood, but can they really escape from the horror around them?
Alice by Heart, originally written in 2012 for the Royal National Theatre, showcases the talents of some outstandingly versatile actors. As Alice, Ellie Scott-Smith gives a performance of great sincerity, and brings a fantastic singing voice to this demanding role. Alfred (Dane Smit) and Alice make a very touching couple, their relationship a candle in the darkness. Among the many other characters, special mention to the completely outrageous Queen of Hearts (Ophelia Mancini) and Duchess (Paulina Hill), rakish Cheshire Cat (Colette Ambo), and Peter Mill as the Hatter/soldier. But all the company are as strong as you’d hope for from a group of graduating musical theatre students. Gloriously creative costumes (from the flamboyant Queen to the steampunk Dormouse) are a visual treat, and musical accompaniment is provided live throughout by Musical Director Matt Greaves on guitar and keyboards. Slight technical issues meant that sometimes the vocals were momentarily hard to catch, which was unfortunate, but on the whole this complex production proceeded smoothly.
Alice’s journey through Wonderland leads through loss and grief to acceptance, resilience and hopes for the future; a fitting ‘graduation’ for these young performers at the beginning of their careers.
Reviewed on 14 August 2026 | Image: Contributed
