Derby Theatre is delighted to announce the young company of local actors, who will join the professional adult cast, for their big, family-friendly, festive production for 2016/17, a fabulous and fantastical Alice in Wonderland, performed by a merry band of actor-musicians, on from Fri 2 December until Sat 7 January.

Performing in Alice in Wonderland on a rotational basis in groups of six, the young company includes: Rene Naomi Stanley aged 13 from Littleover, Hannah and Lotty Bricklebank (aged 10 and 14) from Ockbrook, Roxy Wright aged 10 from Cromford near Matlock, Thomas Hathaway aged 14 from Smalley, Christopher Johnson aged 11 from Derby, Emma Balderston aged 13 from Repton, Keisha Ghai aged 13 from Littleover, Lottie Venskus aged 8 from Long Eaton, Emmy Jones aged 11 from Chellaston, Joshua Gill aged 14 from Hilton, Ryan Vaughan aged 11 from Kirk Hallam, Holly Pridmore aged 16 from Belper, Tyanna Asafu-Adjei aged 13 from Derby, Eva Waller aged 9 from Belper, Scarlet Brittain aged 10 from Nottingham and Daniel and Ben Pimperton aged 12 from Kilburn.

Alice: ‘Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’ ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.’ said the Cat.

Join us this Christmas as we journey to Wonderland with Alice and a host of curious and colourful characters. As with Derby Theatre’s brilliant productions of Cinderella and A Christmas Carol, a talented team of actor-musicians will create a sparkling Christmas tale for all the family with original live music, stunning costumes and fantastic set designs.

So join Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Mock Turtle and Dormouse on their remarkable adventure at Derby Theatre.

Sarah Brigham (Artistic Director and Director of Alice in Wonderland) said: “Following a huge response to our audition call-out for a young company of local actors to join our professional adult cast for Alice in Wonderland, we held numerous auditions so that we could see as many people as possible, and I was incredibly impressed with who we saw and encouraged by how much young talent there is in our region. After a very tough shortlisting process, I am delighted with the young company we have now assembled and I am so excited to start rehearsals with them, and the rest of the cast, in November…our audiences are in for a real treat.”

The professional adult cast for Alice in Wonderland includes: Abby Wain, Dominic Rye, Elizabeth Eves, Jack Quarton, Joanna Brown, Paula James, Keshina Misha, John Holt Roberts and Helena Rimmer.

Tickets for Alice in Wonderland range from £12 to £28, with family ticket, concession and group rates available. For more information and to book tickets for one, or both, shows call the Box Office on 01332 593939 or visit www.derbytheatre.co.uk