Alice in Wonderland is one of the most famous literary works ever written. It has appeared in various media adaptation throughout the years. We discuss some of the most unique ones below.
The famous novel by Lewis Carrol, and its follow-up ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ have left a mark on popular culture akin to that of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Characters and events have seeped into the collective narrative, pervading writing, poetry, film, music, and video games. However, the book has travelled a long way from its family-friendly beginnings and has had some quite grown-up adaptations.
Adventures Beyond Wonderland
Adventures Beyond Wonderland is actually a game, in the relatively new industry of iGaming. This is an area that concerns online casinos and cash prize titles, meaning you do have the possibility to win a prize. You can often find them listed in the sites found on casinos.com. They are live games, which are titles that employ streaming technology to connect you with a live dealer or host in a studio. You can then make bets or choices based on the action, allowing you to take part in what is very much your own game show.
The game begins by spinning a wheel of fortune. This features story characters, who can each increase your wager with multipliers. The presenter in the studio will spin the wheel, and if you are really lucky it may give you access to one of the themed bonus rounds. These include WonderSpins, Magic Dice and Mystery Bonus Spins rounds, all of them filled with characters from the book who will take you on the magical journey.
The Royal Ballet
The Royal Ballet is one of the most esteemed classical ballet organisations in the world. It is the largest of the United Kingdom ballet organisations and is a resident of the Royal Opera House. In 2011, they introduced their new production based on Alice in Wonderland. You can still catch the performance at the Opera House should you be visiting London.
While the cast has changed, Kristen McNally as the cook has been one standout dancer that has stolen the show. The original Alice, Lauren Cuthbertson, has now moved to the role of the Queen, bringing a more comedic yet no less threatening demeanour to the piece. She is backed up by the excellent William Bracewell as the Knave of Hearts and Anna Rose O'Sullivan in the role of Alice.
Created by Christopher Wheeldon, it has been highly praised for its lavish costumes. The Queen of Hearts has to have her outfit wheeled on stage, it is so huge and fitting of the character. In fact, no attention to detail is spared in the production. There are puppets, projections and some fantastic sets created by Bob Crowley to bring the whole story to life.
This is most apparent in the Cheshire Cat, who is an amalgamation of backstage figures and projections that allow him to float above the stage, and then vanish into nothingness. What is most attractive is that the production takes cues from how Carroll originally intended the book, and in parts makes it very dark and unsettling.
Alice in Wonderland – 1933
All black and white, early movies tend to come with an old-world eerieness attached. However, in 1933 a movie was released that would surpass all others in terms of downright oddness. Already the sixth celluloid version of the book, this one was a big-budget, star-studded affair of the time.
Created by Paramount, all their current top roster of actors and actresses were included. A mere 76 minutes long, it packed both Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass into one run. This leads it to be almost a parade of nonsequiturs. Standout characters include a nightmare-inducing turtle, and the gurning, distorted faces of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. With elements of German expressionist cinema included, nothing is outwardly adult about the movie, but you certainly wouldn't watch it with children.
White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
This song is so frequently played, that it can be easy to forgo its brilliant intricacies. Written by Grace Slick, it was included on Jefferson Airplanes 1962 album, Surrealistic Pillow. Created while in her previous band along with 'Somebody to Love' they would become the tracks the group was most well known for.
While the lyrical themes are obviously derived from both of Lewis Carroll's novels featuring Alice, the music behind it has a marching, grave pace that was influenced by jazz artist Miles Davis and his ‘Sketches of Spain’ album. Slick was attracted to Alice as she had no Prince Charming to save her and instead did everything herself.
From comics to horror movies, Alice will continue to fuel the imagination. With its surrealistic imagery and bold characters, few novels have the impact these two have. Keep your eyes out for more releases, and see what weird paths Wonderland may take you on next.
