Students at Spencer middle school are gearing up to lead an audience down the rabbit hole.
This week the students will perform their musical rendition of Alice in Wonderland.
Adding a new spin on the Lewis Carroll classic, Spencer teacher Cynthia Berenyi adapted the script to add more characters.
“I adapted it to have two different Alices,” Berenyi said.
During the play, Alice No. 1, played by Grade 9 student Alycia Macilroy, is the main character. When Macilroy finds herself in tough situation, the second Alice, Haley Hitchen, Grade 8, shows up as kind of a menacing conscience.
“I am kind of in her head, I put her down and make her feel bad. I am like the devil on her shoulder,” Hitchen said.
“I just think it’s really important people are aware of the negative talk we have within ourselves,” Berenyi said.
The story line doesn’t stray too far off the path, but Berenyi said Alice will come across new characters as well as old favourites, such as the Mad Hatter and Caterpillar.
When Berenyi was choosing a story for the play she opted for Alice in Wonderland due to plentiful characters, which would allow many students to participate.
She also thought it would be a good fit because the film Alice in Wonderland directed by Tim Burton was recently released so students would be familiar with the story, she said.
“There are some parts that are a bit dark, but (the musical) is for all ages,” Berenyi said.
Show times are April 29 at 7 p.m. and April 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Isabelle Reader Theatre, 1026 Goldstream Ave. Tickets, $12, can be purchased at the school office. The show runs about two hours. For more information call 250-474-1291.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com