PUPILS in Denbigh, Ruthin, Llangollen and St Asaph could find themselves down the rabbit hole in the Spring.

Throughout May and June, schools across Denbighshire will be celebrating Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, in suitably inventive and eccentric style.

Denbighshire pupils have requested the colourful 154 year old tale as part of the council’s curriculum enrichment initiative, Enrichfest 2019, which will see schools - primary schools Ysgol Trefnant, Pendref, Ysgol y Parc and in Denbigh, Carrog and Caer Drewyn in Corwen, Borthyn Llanbedr, and Rhos Street in Ruthin, Cefn Meiriadog and St Asaph Infants as well as secondary school Dinas Brân in Llangollen - transformed into Wonderland for a day of storytelling, puppetry and live ‘pop-up’ theatrical performances staged by Colwyn Bay's Magic Light Productions.

More 2,100 pupils are expected to take on the artistic team's 'The Cheshire Cat’s Challenges’ - eight themed lesson activities - which will include:

  • Design a costume for a modern-day Alice in ant art themed challenge for 'Stepping Out With Alice: From Sketch to Stage'
  • Design a crown fit for the Queen of Hearts as part of design technology in ‘Crowning Glory: 2019 Year of Discovery Crown'
  • Recalling the magic of 19th century studio portrait photography for digital competence and history in ‘Framing Alice’
  • Creating smoothies for health and wellbeing in ‘Drink Me’
  • Creating a riddle for the Mad Hatter as part of creative writing in 'Mad Hatter’s Little Riddlers'
  • Writing and rate a Trip Advisor style review of Wonderland in 'Wonderland on TripAdvisor'
  • Playwriting from page to stage in 'Follow the Rabbit’
  • Biscuit decorating arts in 'Who stole the Tarts?'

Libby Edwards, of Magic Light Productions, said: “We, as Magic Light Productions, are thrilled to be collaborating with Sarah Dixon of Denbighshire Curriculum Enrichment initiative and Denbighshire County Council on this exciting and innovative ‘Wonderland’ project for schools.

"We produce pantomimes and children’s shows at Theatr Colwyn and all over the UK, but the fact that the children of Denbighshire will be a part of the production process from the very beginning is exciting for us and for them."

In addition to the challenges, there will also be a 'pop-up' production called ‘The Magic of Wonderland’ with the children and for the children featuring the group's - which attracted more than 7,000 people to last year's Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington -puppetry.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Lewis Carroll’s Alice has been enchanting audiences across the world for over 150 years and Denbighshire : Wonderland project is guaranteed to be full of thrilling curiosities, mad-cap fun and adventures, designed for all, to inspire, educate and grow imaginations.”