Fall down the rabbit-hole this January with Cirque Alice

Posted on 18 December, 2025

Things are looking curiouser and curiouser this January as the Canberra Theatre Centre takes audiences down the rabbit hole with Cirque Alice.

This is your chance to go to Wonderland.

Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic adventure Alice in Wonderland, the extraordinary new show from the creators of the global smash hit The Illusionists, Circus 1903 and Le Noir is inviting locals to fall into the strange world from Thursday 22 until Saturday 31 January.

And although the nonsensical nature of the story remains, Cirque Alice Creative Director Ash Jacks says that they’ve added their own unique twist to the tale.

But what sets this production apart from other adaptations? While the novel has inspired many versions over the years, Cirque Alice not only features mind-bending contortionists, mesmerising aerialists, and larger-than-life puppetry but stars an operatic Alice, a Mad Hatter magician and a White Rabbit who can play a mean violin.

“The idea came from our Creative Producer Simon Painter. When Alice in Wonderland became 100 years old, it became public domain for people to create as they see fit. It seemed to be the perfect time to recreate such an iconic story,” explains Ash.

Taking place over two captivating hours, the show is filled with eccentric and larger-than-life characters and creations, enchanting dancers, special musical guests and comedic artists set against a contemporary soundtrack of iconic classical hits.

Building their own version of Wonderland, this unique circus show has received much acclaim from Alice in Wonderland fans of all ages across a sold-out run in Brisbane and season in Singapore.

“We get to imagine how we want to revisualise each part of the book that we fell in love with or that we felt attached to, and we get to reimagine the characters from Alice in Wonderland, but through the lens of Cirque,” says Ash.

“We get to recreate the characters, the costumes, the music, the story…just paint the picture of what the show looks like and bring it to life.”

But taking a story known for its literary nonsense and transforming it into a stage show is no easy feat. How do you translate a 100-year-old book into a circus production all ages will enjoy?

Ash says that’s the million-dollar question.

“We’ve folded in so many different elements of art and performance, visuals and sound,” she explains.

“We’ve created a soundscape that takes you through the journey of Alice, when she’s tumbling down the rabbit hole…if you’re familiar with the story, Alice drinks a little ‘Drink Me’ bottle, and she grows really, big.”

The team has brought this iconic moment to life in spectacular fashion.

“We’ve recreated that in an aerial scene where her dress grows to eight metres large, and she flies up in the air with this giant dress on from the stage,” Ash continues.

“We’ve tried to paint the picture of Alice’s journey through Wonderland with the acrobatic characters that she meets and musical accompaniment to assist in the story for the audience to follow along her journey through Wonderland.”

Ideal for fans of Lewis Carroll of all ages, a big focus of Cirque Alice was making sure the story could still be translated across generations.

This challenge is why Ash says working as the Creative Director alongside Kristy Painter has been the highlight of her career.

“Both Kirsty and I are both mums. I have a two- and a four-year-old, and she has a seven- and 10-year-old, and we really wanted the show to be transcendent through everyone’s ages, but not a kids show. We’re also mums who like to be our own person,” she explains.

“We’ve created a show that kids can come and enjoy, but you can also go out with the girls, have some wines, and go watch a show and be completely blown away and entertained.”

Starring some of the greatest circus and magic performers from around the globe – including America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League winners – audiences are immersed in the action as performers soar above the stage of the Canberra Theatre.

And with larger-than-life flowers, a kaleidoscope of colour and plenty of madness, it sounds like an imaginative, contemporary reinvention that will have audiences off with their heads.

“For anyone looking for high-quality, world-class entertainment, I promise you, this show is guaranteed to blow your mind,” says Ash.

“The artists alone in this are sensational. Come play with us in Wonderland.”

Don’t be late for this very important date.

Images supplied.