Alice: Return To Wonderland At Sherman Theatre Cardiff Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Kathy Sanderson
I love coming to see shows at the Sherman Theatre. It is one of those places where you sit down, the lights go down, and you already feel as if you are in for something special. They have this way of taking a story you think you already know and giving it a twist that lands beautifully. Everything always feels rooted in the local area too, which I really enjoy. It brings the story closer to home and makes it feel more relevant and alive.
This time it was Alice: Return to Wonderland, and I absolutely loved it. Hannah McPake brought something totally fresh to a well loved classic. I have seen Through the Looking Glass a good few times over the years, and I have never seen it done like this. The creativity was on another level. For such a small cast, they managed to create a whole world. The way they used the stage, the lighting, and those clever quick character changes was honestly brilliant. It felt so imaginative and playful, and you could tell how much love and effort had gone into it.
One of my husband’s favourite moments was seeing the actress who played the Queen of Hearts suddenly jump onto the drums in the ensemble. He absolutely loved that. It gave the whole thing this lively, unexpected burst of energy. He also loved that every member of the cast played an instrument at the end. It showed just how talented they all were. The way each actor moved between roles and then between instruments felt seamless. It added to the magic of the whole performance and made the world of Wonderland feel even richer.
Kieron Self was a complete star as the White Rabbit. His comedic timing had the whole audience laughing, and he managed to bring that rabbit to life in a way that felt both silly and very clever. He bounced between panic, charm, and complete chaos with ease, and it worked beautifully. Oliver Wood also deserves a huge mention. He was the one doing all the tasks and odd jobs on stage, and honestly, every time he appeared the whole place erupted. His timing was perfect. You could feel the audience waiting for what he would do next, and he delivered every single time.
By the end of the show, the entire theatre was on its feet. A proper standing ovation. And I genuinely think it was earned. It is not often you see that many people pop up so quickly, but it felt natural because everyone had clearly enjoyed themselves.
I will be completely honest here. The first half was a bit slow for me. I did wonder where it was going and whether it might slip into something a little dark or moral heavy for Christmas. I found myself thinking, where is the sparkle, where is the magic. But the second half completely came to life. It burst into colour, energy, music, and joy. It felt like a proper Christmas show then, full of wonder and excitement. It reminded me that sometimes a story needs a quiet beginning so the second half can shine even brighter.
All four of us loved it. The eleven year old, the thirteen year old, and the two of us who are creeping towards fifty. We all came out smiling, chatting about our favourite moments, and agreeing that it was one of the best shows we have seen in a long time. There was humour, heart, imagination, and a real sense of community in the room. It felt like exactly the sort of show you want to see at this time of year. Warm, funny, familiar yet totally new.
If you get the chance to go, go. It was a wonderful night out and a beautiful reminder of why theatre matters.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £16 is at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff from 2nd December until the 3rd January 2026 for more information or to book tickets https://www.shermantheatre.co.uk/event/alice-return-to-wonderland/ or call the box office on 02920646900
Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff