Alice by Laura Wade Flashcards
What are the 3 key moments in part 1?
1) Alice volunteers
2) The Knave’s entrance
3) The Flamingo faints
Moment 1: Alice Volunteers
Quote: “If I play, I’ll get to meet the Queen, right?”
Line 110
Action: Alice hesitates but steps forward, glancing nervously at the crowd. Her flamingo droops in her hands, adding visual humor.
** Justification:**This moment heightens drama as Alice’s courage contrasts with the crowd’s fear, advancing the plot while maintaining comedic tension.
Moment 2: The Knave’s Entrance
Quote: “The crowd going suitably loopy there for the entrance of the AllWonderland Croquet champion.”
Line 135
Action: The Knave performs a slow, exaggerated lap of honor, snarling at the crowd, who react with a mix of awe and terror.
Justification: The Knave’s theatricality underscores the stakes for Alice while adding a humorous edge to his menacing presence.
Moment 3: The Flamingo Faints
Quote: “The Flamingo faints, going floppy in Alice’s arms.”
Action: Alice struggles to hold up the limp flamingo while the crowd watches in disbelief. The commentators add humorous commentary.
Justification: This moment provides comic relief, balancing the tension of the upcoming game with a lighthearted depiction of Alice’s challenges.
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Key Aspects
Intimidation
Authority vs Defiance
Maternal Resonance
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Intimidation
- Justification
- Sample quote
Justification: The Queen’s authoritarian nature makes Alice uneasy and cautious.
Sample Quote - Alice: “She looks like my mum!”
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Intimidation - Practical Acting Ideas
- Posture: Alice slightly slouches or shrinks her shoulders, conveying unease.
-
Eye Contact: Alice avoids direct eye contact, darting
quick glances at the Queen. -
Proxemics: Alice steps back or maintains significant
distance from the Queen, symbolizing fear and respect.
Mood/tone for Alice
The scene oscillates between tension, excitement, and humor. Alice’s bravery
introduces suspense, while the Queen’s exaggerated behavior and the flamingo’s
antics add comedic relief.
Design
What would you do for set in Alice?
A vibrant, exaggerated croquet ground on a thrust stage Immerse audience/ as if they were watching game
→ Roll out astroturf
→ Backdrop: Blue sky cyclorama projections of cartoon like blue sky with clouds.
→ Oversized props (e.g. flamingos as mallets, hedgehogs as balls) enhances the whimsical tone.
→ A mobile commentary box adds a quirky, modern twist. - Decorated with themed patterns of hearts, gold - Prop mics
→ Actors in audience playing the wonderlanders
→ Queen + King on a raised platform with elegantly carved gold thrones with red lining, the Queens being slightly bigger than the kings - Power Dynamic
Design
What lighting would you use for Alice?
Bright, daytime lighting creates an atmosphere of open possibilities.
Slightly dimmed lighting on Alice and the Duchess while the Queen enters can
signal her dominance.
What could you suggest for general ensemble physicality in Alice?
Physicality: The performers should reflect the mood through exaggerated
movements—Alice hesitates and fidgets, while the Queen’s entrance is grand
and deliberate, creating a stark contrast.
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Authority vs Defiance
- Justification
- Sample quote
Justification: The Queen asserts dominance, but Alice
gradually builds courage to challenge her.
Sample Quote - Queen: “Off with his head!”
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Authority Vs Defiance - Practical Acting Ideas
- Gestures: The Queen points dramatically, reinforcing her command.
- Gait: The Queen strides with exaggerated regality, while Alice stands firm, planting her feet to show resistance.
- Voice: The Queen’s tone is sharp and commanding, while Alice’s responses are hesitant but firm.
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Maternal Resonance
- Justification
- Sample quote
Justification: Alice’s realization that the Queen resembles her mother creates an emotional undercurrent
Sample Quote:Alice: “She sounds like my mum,
too.”
Relationship 1: Alice and The Queen
Maternal resonance - Practical Acting Ideas
- Facial Expressions: Alice shows a mix of shock and
longing, with wide eyes and a slightly trembling mouth.
- Proxemics: Alice hesitates to approach but subtly leans
forward, indicating emotional conflict.
- Voice: Her tone softens, becoming reflective and unsure.
Costume
What should Alice’s costume reflect
Alice’s costume should reflect her youth and sense of innocence while subtly nodding to her emotional vulnerability.
Costume
Alice
-
Simple, slightly oversized dress in muted tones like pale blue or gray, symbolizing her disconnection from
Wonderland’s vibrant absurdity.
The dress should have a slightly worn look, emphasizing her journey through grief and confusion. - Practical, sturdy boots, contrasting with the surreal environment around her and showing her grounded nature amidst the chaos.
- Accessories, such as a small satchel or a pocket, could hint at her curiosity and practicality. To enhance her physicality, the costume should allow freedom of movement as she navigates the croquet game and her interactions with the other characters.
Costume
The Queen
The Queen’s costume should exude dominance and grandeur, incorporating bold, royal colors such as red, gold, and black.
A voluminous gown with exaggerated details, like puffed sleeves and a high collar, reflects her inflated ego and authoritarian personality.
Embellishments like hearts (as a motif) could symbolize her role as the Queen of Hearts, while jewels and a small crown further establish her regality.
To emphasize her impulsive nature, the costume might have sharp, angular lines or asymmetrical elements.
The gown should restrict movement slightly, creating an imposing, deliberate gait as she commands attention on stage.
Costume
The King
The King’s costume should contrast subtly with the Queen’s grandeur, reflecting his submissive and supportive nature. A tailored suit or robe in softer tones like cream or light gold, with minimal decoration, underscores his secondary role. He might wear a small crown or circlet to signify his status, but it should be less ostentatious than the Queen’s. Details like slightly drooping shoulders in the costume’s design can highlight his passive demeanor. Practical elements like pockets or a sash for holding the Queen’s items (e.g., the royal hedgehog box) enhance his functionality on stage.
Costume
The Duchess
The Duchess’s costume should emphasize her quirky and eccentric personality. A mismatched ensemble with clashing colors and patterns, such as a bold floral dress paired with striped stockings, creates a whimsical look. Accessories like an oversized hat with feathers or a quirky brooch add humor and visual interest. Her shoes might be slightly impractical, like laced-up boots with exaggerated soles, adding an awkward charm to her movements. The costume should allow for exaggerated gestures and physical comedy while reflecting her chaotic but maternal energy.
Costume
The Knave
The Knave’s costume should convey menace and arrogance. A dark, fitted ensemble, such as a military-style jacket with sharp, angular lines, enhances his intimidating presence. Black or deep red tones with metallic accents (e.g., studs or buckles) reflect his status as the Queen’s champion. His helmet with a face cage is a crucial element, adding to his menacing aura and symbolizing his role as an undefeated croquet player. Practicality is key for his movements, as he must be able to engage in dynamic physicality during the croquet scenes.
Costume
Commentators
The commentators’ costumes should reflect their role as humorous narrators while allowing them to blend into the scene. Matching outfits, such as vintage sports announcer blazers in bright colors like green or yellow, paired with bow ties, add a playful, cohesive look. Accessories like old-fashioned microphones or headsets nod to their role in providing live commentary. Their costumes should allow freedom of movement for animated gestures, supporting their comedic timing and exaggerated reactions to the events on stage.
