It’s hard to put down in words what a joyful, heartwarming and hilarious time was had at the University of Bedfordshire Theatre on Tuesday (17 January), at Living It Up Performing Arts’ production of Murder in Wonderland.
It’s certainly hard to imagine a more well-produced, welcoming and completely inclusive night out – particularly on a Tuesday in Bedford.
Murder in Wonderland was conceived, written and produced by the learners at the Living It Up Performing Arts Centre – all adults with learning disabilities – based at St Cuthbert’s Hall. It was part-funded by a £500 grant from Stagecoach’s Giving for Good initiative.
“The show was written around all the ideas the learners had and they choose their own costumes, made all the props, helped edit all the videos and practised the live music and the dances,” said Living It Up’s CEO, Claire Crawford-Smith.
“We have been rehearsing since last summer and everyone worked really hard. It is wonderful seeing everyone grow in confidence during projects like those.”
Review
After two opening numbers by the house band (Sweet Caroline and Status Quo’s Rockin’ All Over The World) with full audience participation including singing, arm waving, clapping and air-punching, the action takes place between the Living It Up Newsroom (with TV anchors Rob and Daisy), the channel’s raving reporters (a very energetic James and Claire) and the Wonderland nightclub.
We meet nightclub owner, Alice (Rebecca) and follow the bouncers (Amy, Becky and Connor) as they enthusiastically frisk each of the club’s visitors ahead of a performance by Take That (Iain, Surinder, Shaneil, Joe and Kundai) and Lulu (Richard).
Each of the night’s guests – Jonny, Carly, Alix, Alice, George, Katie, Catherine and Liam who each arrive to their own perfectly picked soundtracks – give a plausible enough excuse as to why they are bringing a variety of poorly-concealed murder weapons into the club, so the stage is set for a whodunnit to rival Glass Onion.
Almost sensing murder is in the air, next to arrive is the Irish Bodyguard (John) whose job is to protect the band.
As TT take to the stage with Lulu to perform Relight My Fire, the club is pumping. But the fun is soon brought to an abrupt end when Gary Barlow (Iain) slumps to floor.
Cue Murder on the Dance Floor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, performed by the whole cast and joined by dancer Kim, with special mention to Dom on the decks and Gareth/DJ80s (sound and visuals).
Luckily, Sargeant Tristan (Sim), the police and detectives (Adam, Nicky, Jordan and Stuart) are soon on hand to go through the evidence and discover the killer.
A line-up of the suspects is gathered, CCTV footage is reviewed and it soon becomes apparent that almost everyone there had a motive and a means to kill poor Gary.
After all the evidence has been heard, the audience turns jury and by the means of a clap-o-meter (a process woefully under-utilised in the judicial system), the guilty party is sentenced to sit on the naughty chair and think about his actions.
Meanwhile, DJ Tea Leaf (Neil) is found to have lived up to his name and made off with a bag of loot. A brilliant police pursuit ensues (to the Benny Hill theme tune) and when he’s apprehended his Mary Poppins-style swag bag reveals an increasingly improbable collection of items.
While the police and judges (Nathan and Ryan) congratulate themselves for capturing both criminals, something about Gary’s murder doesn’t seem right to raving reporters Claire and James.
They demand the CCTV footage is re-examined, and sure enough, the true perpetrator is unmasked (or more accurately un-wigged) and banged to rights.
Finally, the entire cast returns to the stage (joined by dancer Kim) for a choreographed routine to Jailhouse Rock, led by Living It Up’s dance teacher, Maz – a perfect piece of musical theatre.
With the case closed, the curtain was soon to come down on our night at Wonderland.
But not before each and every cast member was welcomed to the front of the stage to well-deserved and rapturous applause from the audience.
When next year’s performance is announced, I highly recommend you snap up some tickets, as this is one of the most fun nights out I’ve had in a long time.
You can follow Living It Up Performing Arts Centre on their Facebook page here.
