The Royal Ballet - Alice's Adventures In Wonderland [DVD] [2010] [NTSC]

I came to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (created in 2011) only this autumn. After Youtube-snippets sparked my curiosity, I went to see a Royal Ballet performance last September. It didn't disappoint, prompting me to buy the blu-ray. The performance makes a delicious romp, with music-hall influences, tap (Mad Hatter), and, starting with Alice going into the rabbit hole, simply loaded with special effects - leading to allegations of the show being superficial. I think these are unfounded; uttered by people apparently not looking past form. Alice's journey has an underlying theme of growing up, delving into oneself, and standing up for the one you love, regardless of class. Point in this process takes place halfway the ballet, in 'Alice Alone.' While Alice dances, there are lines, formed by caterpillar smoke, projected: 'where are you?,' how are you?,' and finally 'who are ...?' That's right, 'you.' The camera, however, fails to register that last 'you.' Even though you might guess it by then, this is sloppy. On said camera work: in many scenes there is awful lot happening at the same time, so it proves quite impractical to get all the different information of it in close-ups, as happens with the first scene, the Liddell garden party.The pressure of creating a new full-length work on major ballet companies is huge, and the docmentary (extras) mentions it. Especially so for the Royal Ballet and its tradition, which always emphasized the narrative ballets. Not since Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (a dramatic ballet, dealing with the suicide scandal of Austrian's last crown prince) has there been one that held repertory in Covent Garden, and that was in 1978 ... A large, attributing fault in the fabric of these works might be the meagre role and dances for the corps de ballet, something the 19th century understood and did so well. Christopher Wheeldon, Alice's boyish-wizard choreographer, didn't fall into that trap. He has done a terrific job here with the agressive cards, slightly less so with the ballroomy flowers, but given time, the choreographic niceties in both scenes will prove their worth more and more. Wheeldon the step maker is more often than not overzealous, stuffing his works with material, but in a psychologically complex work like Alice it doesn't look out of place. There are two other things Wheeldon, his librettist Nicholas Wright and composer Joby Talbot (kudos) managed to accomplish: they succeeded in transfering the 'unheimischness' of Lewis Carroll's book to the stage, having many characters and scenes emit an uneasy feel. The cold Mother/Queen of Hearts is one example, but the scene with the Duchess, the Cook and Baby Pig went further; made me a bit queasy. So, in an odd way, arresting theatre. The other thing is that a story-telling ballet needs a pas de deux. This landed Alice her love interest Jack/Knave of Hearts. Their relationship is developed over the course of the ballet, and has a very appealing innocence and honesty. Jack/Knave of Hearts, Mother/Queen of Hearts, Father/King of Hearts, Carroll/White Rabbit, Magician/Mat Hatter. The double role-trick is, like in MGM's Wizard of Oz, a smart way to explain a dream to a post-Freud audience.The role of Alice was created on Lauren Cuthbertson, the English ballerina of this generation. Cuthbertson may not have the charisma of her predecessors Darcey Bussell or Margot Fonteyn, but she is beautiful in her own right, and very contemporary as a beauty that dares to be, and dance 'ugly.' She is totally immersed in the role, and has the technique to underscore it. Her Jack/Knave of Hearts is Sergei Polunin, of recent fame or infame, depending on your point of view. I had seen him in class, but never on stage, and thought his take on the male lead here surprisingly 'young,' even androgynous. His technique is smooth, with effortless landings. The supporting cast, from Edward Watson (Carroll/White Rabbit) and Steven McRae (Mad Hatter) to the expressively-faced Zenaida Yanowsky (Mother/Queen of Hearts), and the guesting Simon Russell Beale (playing the grotesque Duchess, obviously hired in tribute to the English pantomime tradition), could not be better. Among the smaller roles there's Samantha Raine as Alice's 'blue' sister, a champion of sincerity in every step she makes, and Christopher Saunders as Father (and King of Hearts), who is so convincing as he walks a tightrope between calming and simply loving his wife. Yanowsky's Tart Adagio, a play on Sleeping Beauty's Rose Adagio is positively slapstick. It is soon followed by the emotional highlight of the ballet: Alice and Jack's 'Court Room Pas de Deux,' wherein Alice makes the grown-up choice for her Knave. The duo wins over the initially reluctant wonderlanders/bystanders, but soon after the dream starts to fall apart, beginning with a chase, prompted by the irascible, head-chopping Queen of Hearts. The ballet's ending brings a different awakening than you might expect. A lovely, and contemporary one too.All this comes on a Blu-ray disc with perfect picture and sound. It makes a great X-mas present for anyone caring for ballet, or could be the vehicle to make the uninitiated 'curiouser and curiouser.'

I first discovered this ballet when I was writing my masters dissertation on Alice in Wonderland's cultural influence two years ago. It's just fantastic. Whilst I love the portrayal of Alice, the show is stolen by the ballerina who plays the Queen of Hearts. The sets, costumes and music were excellent and I found myself totally immersed. I'm afraid I'm not very good at reviewing the technical aspects of either a ballet performance or the DVD quality (I found no faults with either myself, although I'm sure you can find this information in another review). If you like ballet, or Alice in Wonderland, or just a good show - please buy this and enjoy.

The music, the choreography, the costumes and the stage design all build together to create a wonderful piec e of new ballet. Oh! and the dancers are superb, with the whole company taking part.Great fun probably the future Christmas show.Joby Talbot and Christopher Wealdon have worked together before and what an incredible team they make.Favourite moments are the Mad Hatters Tea Party and the Flower Garden waltz.

Wow! What a spectacle of colour, pace, humour and excitement! I have just finished watching it, and felt compelled to write a review. The dancing was full of energy, the choreography varied and full of pace, and the music brash and atmospheric.However, there were a few highlights, not in any particular order. The Red Queen was so funny, and I think that humour is so important in introducing ballet and dance to non ballet fans. Alice was so innocent, with a high standard of dance and drama. She was, indeed, a natural. The tap dancer recieved rave revues from the audience, and well deserved.The sets were unbelievable, so vibrant and imaginative.I shall definitely watch it again.........But not tonight!

A fantastic production presenting elements of the Lewis Carroll classic. Amazing stage illusions.The modern score is excellent and the stage action parodies ballet cliches.A trifle over long. Take a tea break at the interval.

Imaginative adaption of Lewis Caroll into a ballet in which each scene bursts with its own magic. This is due to brilliant Choreography (by Christopher Wheeldon), staging and dancing. The very good filming of the ballet complement all these qualities to make a production that is not only good but entertaining. I imagine this to be a staple of the Royal Ballet, London for all the family, a long time into the future. The dancing of Lauren Cuthbertson, Sergei Polunin, Edward Watson and Zenaida Yanowsky are particularly memorable but all the company put in good performances.

It was a beautiful ballet and captured very well on film. Definitely worth a watch! I absolutely loved it and thought the choices for the roles was perfect with Lewis Carroll becoming the white rabbit and Alice's parents becoming the king and queen of hearts, it really begins to capture the context beyond the story of Alice in wonderland and portrays it brilliantly!

This is absolutely brilliant. Sergei Polunin is his usual awesome self.The Queen of Hearts is fantastic and hilarious.The Mad Hatter is brilliant.I loved it from start to finish and have watched it several times.Great for kids AND adults.