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Youthful cast is captivating in HAWK Theatre's production of "Return to Wonderland"

Liz DadsonBy: Liz Dadson  November 23, 2015
Youthful cast is captivating in HAWK Theatre's production of "Return to Wonderland"
HAWK Theatre, based in Lucknow, is to be commended for taking on the challenging task of staging a show with 23 youth in the cast, ranging in age from six to 14.

It may not be easy, but it is definitely rewarding as the young actors captivate the audience in "Return to Wonderland," which opens at the Lucknow Town Hall Theatre Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m., and runs through Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 2:30 p.m.

Written by Canadian playwright Thom Bennett, the show is an hilarious Christmas spin-off of the original favourite, "Alice in Wonderland." Here, Alice has found herself back in Wonderland but this time there is an evil plot to destroy Christmas - can Alice and her merry band of storybook adventurers thwart the evil Ace of Spades and save Christmas?

The play features some of the beloved Wonderland characters, as well as some surprises.

Among the marvellous cast are a number of new faces as well as familiar ones.

Shelby Barger is wonderfully confident on stage as the main character, Alice. Equally comfortable, are Alexis Logtenberg in the role of the shrieking Queen of Hearts, Liam Psutka as the Wizard, and Nikki Marion-McMahon as Ms Rabbit.

A real stand-out is Claire Howard as Gertrude H. Witch, along with her evil villains, newcomers Drayton Mackenzie, Lochlyn Chow, Ever Chow and Peter Jakobsen.

Peter, 12, is in Grade 7 at Brookside Public School and has never acted on the HAWK Theatre stage before. He is enjoying the part of the Ace of Spades. "I like being the villain; it's fun to dress up and not be you."

He has performed in plays at school and was encouraged by Drayton MacKenzie (Priscilla Vanilla)'s mother to try out. And he's glad he did.

Meanwhile, Madison Ritchie, 10, who plays the Duchess, is also a newcomer and is thoroughly enjoying it. The Grade 5 student at Lucknow Public School said the Duchess is a great part because "she gets to yell at everyone. It's a lot of fun."

Ruth Montgomery is involved in a HAWK Theatre show for the first time - she designed and built the set. An interior designer and professional organizer, she is a friend of the director's and is enjoying being part of the show.

The set will feature a 3D forest mural on the left and a magnificent papier-mached and painted tree in the centre.

The show is directed by Mackenzie Carruthers, with producer Maureen Matchett.

Tickets are $15 each for adults, and $5 each for children, ages 12 and under; available at Jerome Flowers in Kincardine, Everlastings Flowers and Gifts in Lucknow, the Lucknow Library, Mayfair Training in Lucknow, Ripley Variety, Earth Angel in Wingham or by calling 519-528-3019.

The theatre has an elevator for those with mobility issues.

The full cast includes:
 
  • Alice - Shelby Barger, 10, daughter of Doug and Heather Barger
  • Tweedledee - Sam Howard, 9, son of Steve Howard and Suzanne Alton
  • Tweedledum - Graham Howard, 9, son of Steve Howard and Suzanne Alton
  • White Rabbit - Elle Schumacker, 8, daughter of April and Brad Schumacker
  • Mad Hatter - Tamara Lawlor, 12, daughter of Maria Poels
  • March Hare - Jaden Symes, 9, daughter of Rob Symes and Jen Welsh
  • Duchess - Madison Ritchie, 10, daughter of Patrick and Heather Ritchie
  • Cook - Abigail Eadie, 8, daughter of Matthew and Angela Eadie
  • Humpty Dumpty - Nick Anson, 13, son of Leigh and Laura Anson
  • Ace of Spades - Peter Jakobsen, 12, son of Mort and Helene Jakobsen
  • Queen of Hearts - Alexis Logtenberg, 12, daughter of Ken and Agnes Logtenberg
  • King of Hearts - Nathan Barger, 14, son of Doug and Heather Barger
  • Mrs. Santa Claus - Natalie Ritchie, 14, daughter of Patrick and Heather Ritchie
  • Wizard - Liam Psutka, 13, son of Chad and Lisa Psutka
  • Ms Rabbit - Nikki Marion-McMahon, 13, daughter of Deb Marion
  • Doormouse - Anna Anson, 9, daughter of Leigh and Laura Anson
  • Gertrude H. Witch - Claire Howard, 11, daughter of Steve Howard and Suzanne Alton
  • Priscilla Vanilla - Drayton Mackenzie, 10, daughter of Misti Humphrey and Brian Mackenzie
  • Petulia Poison - Lochlyn Chow, 9, daughter of Scott and Karissa Chow
  • Vladicia the Grunt - Ever Chow, 6, daughter of Scott and Karissa Chow
  • Queen Mother - Rory Parish, 13, daughter of Kim Farrish
  • Lady-in-Waiting to Queen of Hearts - Ally Wilson, 8, daughter of Chad and Lisa Psutka
  • Queen Mother's Attendant - Kierstyn Proctor, 10, daughter of Kyle Proctor and Chantelle Jerome

Image Gallery

Rehearsing a scene from HAWK Theatre's Return to Wonderland, are Natalie Ritchie (L), Shelby Barger, Liam Psutka, Elle Schumacker, Ally Wilson, Alexis Logtenberg and Nathan Barger
Shelby Barger (L) as Alice, tries to deal with Tweedledee (Sam Howard) and Tweedledum (Graham Howard) in Return to Wonderland
Peter Jakobsen, 12, is the Ace of Spades in HAWK Theatre's Return to Wonderland
Shelby Barger as Alice in Return to Wonderland
Shelby Barger (L) as Alice tries to hide behind the Wizard (Liam Psutka) as Gertrude H. Witch (Claire Howard) enters the scene
Abigail Eadie (L) as the Cook acts out a scene with Madison Ritchie as the Duchess
The opening scene with Nick Anson (L) as Humpty Dumpty, Anna Anson as the Doormouse, Jaden Symes as the March Hare, and Sam and Graham Howard as Tweedledee and Tweedledum
The opening scene, with Ally Wilson (L) as the Lady in Waiting, Elle Schumacker as the White Rabbit, Alexis Logtenberg as the Queen of Hearts, Abigail Eadie as the Cook, Madison Ritchie as the Duchess, Peter Jakobsen as the Ace of Spades, and Shelby Barger as Alice
Nick Anson as Humpty Dumpty, sits on the wall
The villains gather on stage, from left, are Claire Howard, Peter Jakobsen, Drayton Mackenzie, Lochlyn Chow and Ever Chow
The cast of Return to Wonderland, includes, back, Madison Ritchie (L), Abigail Eadie, Ally Wilson, Alexis Logtenberg, Peter Jakobsen, Liam Psutka, Nikki Marion-McMahon, Claire Howard, Nathan Barger, Rory Parish, Natalie Ritchie, Nick Anson; and in front, producer Maureen Matchett (L), Ever Chow, Elle Schumacker, Lochlyn Chow, Drayton Mackenzie, Shelby Barger, Graham Howard, Sam Howard, Anne Anson, Jaden Symes, and director Mackenzie Carruthers

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Liz DadsonWritten By

Liz Dadson

Liz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.



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