Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School drama class members are busy putting the finishing touches on their winter production, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Caroll and adapted by Anne Coulter Martens.
The well-loved story comes to life on the Martin Exeter Hall stage, Jan. 11-14 and 18-21 with each performance starting at 7 p.m.
The play involves 73 students who are taking responsibility for all aspects of the production, including sound, costume design, technical work, set design and construction. Large pieces of the set were built by members of the PSO’s woodworking class.
They’re all working under the direction of teacher Lisa Durago who is new to the school this year.
She majored in drama at university and has had extensive experience with all aspects of producing and directing plays, but this is her first experience working with a cast of secondary school students.
“These are really great students who are really putting a lot of effort into this. I’ve been very impressed.
“They’re all excited about it and they’re very good with what they do.”
The play will alternate nightly between two different casts, and because there was so much talent in the group, they decided to go with four different people in the role of Alice. Durago wrote an extra scene into the middle of the play to make the transition from one Alice to the other.
The role is shared by Lauren Runge, Rebekah Fischer, Chrissy Ogden and Alicia Williamson.
The Cheshire Cat will be played by Jens Mowatt and Shania Pizzey, and the role of Mad Hatter will be split between Alyssa Lindberg and Davis Majcher.
Tamara Jensen and Kelsey Shearer will share the role of the March Hare. The Queen of Hearts features Clare Parma and Rachel Dickie.
The play is about two hours long with an intermission. Tickets are $10 each.
As a special offer, $17 will purchase a ticket that is good for two nights, but it must be used for shows featuring each of the two casts.
Tickets will be available at Donex and Didi’s and at the school after Christmas break.
