The exemplary theatre-studio “Surprise” of the children's art school has opened its юбилейный (anniversary) 20th season this year with the play “Alice Through the Looking-Glass”. As reported to the correspondent the next day, 229 tickets were sold for the performance and another 60 invitations were distributed. Any production by “Surprise” is a major event in the cultural life of the town. The performances are watched with interest by schoolchildren and adults, who then share their impressions, discuss, and even argue, because the main task of art is not to leave anyone indifferent.
Why Alice specifically, why the Looking-Glass? What are the reasons for such a choice? The Looking-Glass is a land of children's fantasies, where adults have no way in, except perhaps in a dream. Only in this way can one return to the magical Land of Childhood. Everything is the other way around there, not like in our World of Adults. There, all the children's affairs are the most important and urgent. What could be lunch or pudding when a chess game is developing so excitingly, with such a successful move ahead! Because adults carelessly distract children from their important affairs, wonderful animals drawn by children remain in the fantasy world, but without names, as the little ones did not have time to name them...
The adaptation of the fairy tale for the Lepel stage was undertaken by Anna Kozlova, a former graduate of the theatre-studio, who essentially wrote the full play. The success of the performers of the main roles – Alice – Nastya Karpusenko, the Red Queen – Alyona Karpitskaya, the White Queen – Arina Trusova, the Red King – Kolya Krivyel, the White King – Pavel Fatyushchenkov, the White Knight – Yegor Kalinin, and other actors would have been impossible without the help and cooperation of the entire creative team. The costumes made by Roza Zaenchik are impressive.
35 actors are involved in the play, and all of them have unusual, fantastic outfits that, while revealing the essence of the character, also give the actor space for creative flight and the viewer – for the flight of imagination. The costumes are harmoniously complemented by masks and props made by the talented hands of artists Alexander and Marina Savchenko. Traditionally, the scenery by Ivan Budich deserves the highest praise. This is perhaps the best stage design, as it is laconic, with nothing superfluous. The music by Inga Karpusenko and the songs gave the production a romantic, uplifting sound.
Vasil MATYRKA
In the photo: Alice with fantastic animals
Photo by the author