So far it has been another slow year of both reading and blogging. In my defence, my normally busy life has become even more so with the advent of my new training regime (fitness here we come!), my flourishing vegetable garden (small yet ever so enticing), the new feline additions to my household, my stuttering attempts at fundraising ahead of our charity skydive (this coming weekend eek!) and my participation in an ambitious theatre project.
Each year, May hosts for us the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, over two weeks of dance, music, theatre, literature, comedy and general oddness...With ambitions of soon becoming the country's second biggest arts festival, each year the Festival appears to outdo the preceding event, by bringing even more weird and wonderful artistic creations to this small city, somewhat removed from much of the country. This year I was unable to enjoy most of the festival's offerings (aside from an ingenious circus routine and some late night mechanical wolf shenanigans) as I had signed myself up as an extra in order to renew my love of the theatre.
And so, shedding my inhibitions and in the hope of meeting some unusual characters, I joined a theatre project called Dining with Alice. Originally created by Hilary Westlake for the Salisbury Festival a few years ago, the venture has been reimagined by Artichoke a creative company renowned for their ambitious and artistic "invasion of public spaces". Over three weeks of intense rehearsal and performance time (while also working full-time!), our band of extras were fortunate enough to share in the latest Artichoke experience, in all its glory! I for one have come away with the certain knowledge that I wish to remain working in theatre, if only part time, and have made some good new friends. I have described this project to many of my friends and complete strangers, some of whom have responded with blank stares, but others who became quite enthused and urged me to share the experience. So please indulge me, and do forgive me for this long and rather enthused post...
At Dining with Alice, guests were invited to take part in a magical evening of food and song, hosted by an array of Wonderland characters, in the grounds of the beautiful Elsing Hall, a private stately home dating back to the thirteenth century. With 20 acres of picturesque gardens including a walled garden, an arboretum, a moat and a bog (!), the Hall was the perfect setting for such an unusual event.
Guests were ushered in past high hedges and mysterious doorways, catching rare glimpses of the house.
Beautiful and elegant statues and stonework were nestled amongst the English roses and romantic borders.
Upon arriving at the welcome tent, guests were offered delicious Hendrick's Gin cocktails and nibbles, before the characters descended in a whirl of music and laughter.
The guests were then surprised by a throng of turbaned waiters who regaled them with colour, wit and song, but who do not engage in repartee.
Guests were then separated from their friends and taken to their tables by their waiters. Individual tables....for every single person.
Tables were spread out amongst the beautiful gardens, where guests could bask in the evening light and watch their fellow diners sitting around them.
Tables were decorated with jars containing weird and wonderful delights, and riddles to test the mind...
Unusual Victorian dishes with a twist were served, such as this mock turtle soup and a vial containing amber liquid and a label saying..."drink me".
While diners ate, Alices large and small flitted through the gardens..
Characters regale diners with amusing riddles and ridiculous arguments.
Diners were in fear of losing their head when the Queen of Hearts was around.
While her King of Hearts and the Mad Hatter debated the food and stimulated the conversation.
After a three course meal, diners were reunited with their friends and brought to a floating pontoon on the moat, where the evening's entertaining reached its finale with a flourish of song.
But wait...who was this mysterious waiter?!
Thank you so much to Artichoke for putting on such a wonderful production and allowing us to take part in it! And thanks to all the other extras for making my time so enjoyable!
Anyone interested in the Norfolk and Norwich Festival or Dining with Alice can experience a little themselves in a short behind-the-scenes film on Sky Arts in June.
Reviews in the press:
BBC News - spot yours truly at 28 seconds!
Other reviews and articles:
5 comments:
Such beautiful photos! It really sounds like a magical experience.
Oh wow, it looks just like being in a fairy tale! Beautiful. =)
Nymeth & Megan - It was exactly that! I'm so sad its all over.
Congratulations on stepping out there and getting involved in theatre! That is wonderful. And what a magical looking experience. Your pics make me drool in envy.
Thanks Carl, it certainly was an unusual experience, though one I will savour. Hopefully I have bagged a voluntary position at a local theatre company starting in August ;)
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