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This one-act dramatization of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland
and Through the Looking Glass is distinguished by the inventive manner with which Jerome
McDonough handles Alice's various changes in size and the numerous changes of setting, with no
breaks in the action. Because of his ingenious directions for making all the magical special effects
easy to stage, this version is fun to do and fun to watch. Most of the revered characters are here:
the rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, and perhaps best of all, the
Oyster show. Recommended for contest, children's theatre, and workshops. McDonough attempts to
involve the audience in the experience of the adventures. With no front curtain, the main stage is
skeletal and a bit dark with Lewis Carroll's study Down Left. The dark stage is laid with a
pattern of large white squares, giving the effect of a chess board not quite correct. Everything
is done in blacks and whites except the very colorful characters who stand out against the mysterious
picture.Chorus members, who will function as a Chinese Stage Crew in black dress, may also serve
as ushers, perhaps speaking only in mime. A banner proclaims the stage area "Wonderland.""I
am planning to produce the play 'Alice' by Jerome McDonough with my Drama Club students."—
Andrew Cross, Izmir Amerikan Collegiate Institute, Izmir, Turkey. Other McDonough adaptations:
Butterfly, A Christmas Carol (1-act)
See also: Netzel's Alice in Wonderland, the Musical
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