WHEN Performing Arts lecturer Jonathan Domaille decided to put on a small production of Paul Boyd’s Alice the Musical, he had no idea of what would follow. For just as the little girl from one of Britain’s best-loved children’s books grew and grew during her adventures in Wonderland, so did the size of the show.

Before long, there was nothing unusual about seeing a giant-footed White Rabbit dashing about Exeter College’s Centre for Creative Industries trying not to be late for rehearsals – along with another 33 super-keen cast members, two costume assistants, and an entire Queen’s Army of backstage and front of house volunteers. Then, there were the sell-out audiences, a mixture of students, staff, parents and friends…

“The project turned out to be massive and I’m still catching my breath,” admits Jonathan. “Because of the way it was staged, we could only seat 70 at a time, but each night was a sell-out. There was such a buzz about the place over those few days that the students deserve massive congratulations.”

To create Alice’s surreal Wonderland, the CCI Theatre’s performance space was switched back-to-front, turned upside down, and decorated entirely white to allow for film projections, leaving the audience suitably puzzled and surprised. Meanwhile, students Lucie Bowles and Phoebe Pidner successfully took on the daunting task of finding all the costumes and Josie Kemp, aged 16, of Exeter, played the lead role.

“Like Alice, the students went on a massive journey with this piece” says Jonathan. “There were some nerves, naturally, but everyone was incredibly excited, focused, and keen to show what a great production they had created as a result of their hard work. Judging from audience reactions, they certainly seemed to enjoy it, and the tunes were so catchy that students could still be heard humming them in corridors some days later.”

Asked why he had decided on Alice for this year’s Drama and Performing Arts Enrichment project, he added:
“Alice is as story which we can all relate to in some way. That may seem strange considering most of us don’t usually hold conversations with caterpillars on a regular basis, or indeed Mad Hatters. But the themes sum up the way our lives can sometimes feel out of control or nonsensical as adults. At the same time, most of us will recall first hearing the story as children and that chance to let our imagination run wild that came with it.”

Those involved in Alice The Musical were all aged 16 to 19 and studying on courses ranging from BTEC Performing Arts, AS and A level Drama, to Level 3 Certificates in Dance, Acting, Stage and Arts Management.