To mark the bicentenary in 2020 of the birth of Sir John Tenniel, illustrator of the first publication of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland, the University of Kent Music department is undertaking a reconstruction of an historic adaptation of the book for the stage.

 

First performed at the Royal Globe Theatre on 23rd December, 1886, the production was overseen by Carroll himself. Subtitled A Musical Dream-Play for Children and Others, the production was written by Henry Savile Clarke, with music by Walter Slaughter. The production ran for many years and was a huge success, eventually closing around thirty years later; the performances at the University in 2020 conjures the dream-play forth from the neglect in which it has sadly since lain.

Reconstructed from a vocal score by the Deputy Director of Music, Dan Harding, the performance will be given by the University Cecilian Choir, Music Scholars and soloists, accompanied by a specially-arranged chamber ensemble, on Friday 21 February and Friday 29 May in 2020, in Colyer-Fergusson Hall.

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Alongside the performances, there will be ancillary exhibition of some of Tenniel's illustrations from the original publication, which will also be included in the performance, projected above the heads of the performers. Visitors to the exhibition, which opens in the Colyer-Fergusson Gallery in January, will be able almost to imagine they are walking through the pages of the book, as we bring the story to life in image, words and music...

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The University's Special Collections department will also present a display of original materials from its collections relating to (or inspired by) Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll and John Tenniel. The exhibition will run from Monday 3 February – Friday 20 March. 

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You can also follow the project on the hashtag #AliceatUKC on social media.