Durham Fringe Festival 2024
Down the Rabbit Hole
aria art and movement
Genre: Aerial Theatre, Children's Theatre
Venue: Palace Green Stretch Tent, Durham
Festival: Durham Fringe Festival
Low Down
Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland. This interactive family friendly show features aerial performance, arts and crafts, tea parties, and the opportunity to try the aerial spiral. Don’t be late for this important date! There’s plenty for the children and their families to see as they enjoy some visually arresting aerial work in a short but charming shpw.
Review
“Down the Rabbit Hole” is an enchanting piece of theatre performed outdoors on the green in front of Durham Cathedral. There is a lot happening throughout the thirty minutes of this performance which combines aerial theatre with imaginative storytelling, creating a magical journey into the Wonderland of Lewis Carroll. The stage is primarily centered around a large metal spiral pole, which serves as the means for some skilled aerial work, adding a dynamic and visually engaging element to the show.
As the audience is whisked into Wonderland, they encounter giant playing cards, hanging golden keys, and oversized picture frames, all contributing to the whimsical atmosphere. The vibrant costumes and larger-than-life props further animate the scenes, while the musical backing enhances the overall ambiance. Bubbles drift through the breezy air, and children in the audience are invited to “have a go” on the spiral, making it a truly interactive experience.
The production is a constant flurry of activity, yet it also knows when to slow down, trusting in the audience’s fascination and interest. Silent acting is at the heart of the performance, drawing on deeper themes and the power of imagination. For instance, the audience is led to envision a tall tree in a dense forest through the actors’ movements and expressions.
Alice’s journey begins as she spins out of control down the well, encountering a magical key and a perpetually late White Rabbit. The piece has an airy quality reminiscent of silent films, where no speech is needed, and it truly soars when it embraces visual simplicity. Some of the most magical moments occur when Alice and the other characters gracefully navigate the spinning spiral, accompanied by piano and orchestral music.
The aerial performers, including a younger child, showcase impressive aerial skills, adding to the show’s allure. However, the narrative can sometimes be unclear, and the storyteller’s voice is often drowned out by the loud backing music and sounds. To improve the accessibility of the narrative, the storyteller could benefit from being louder or mic’d up.
Overall, “Down the Rabbit Hole” is an engaging hour-long experience that immerses the audience in a world of imagination. Both children and adults were observed in rapt attention, a testament to the creative and technical thought that has gone into the production. While the spectacle sometimes overshadows the story, a little rebalancing and a reduction in the backing sound volume would elevate the show even further.
