This month sees our National Theatre staging its first musical in over twenty years. Alice in Funderland is filled with songs, dancing, a bit of music and even has a gay character lovingly referred to as Queer, played by Paul Reid. Not to spoil the plot too much, Queer’s loyalties are to say the least, questionable.
The musical goes a little something like this: Alice’s fella died recently and she is just not in the mood or humour to play the happy bridesmaid at her sister’s impending wedding. The Corkonian home is abuzz with premarital activity, sparkling water arriving by the bucket, mirrors being ferried hither and thither and in a fit of feminine rage Alice legs it directly into a looking glass.
Cue dreamlike musical adventure, dancing, deception and a card game or two. Though Alice is a culchie from the rebel county the main action is set in Dublin, and the roaming reluctant bridesmaid has her sights set on Harstown.
Where? The Abbey Theatre, Dublin 1
When? From April 14th – May 12th
Words: Joseph Kearney
