I've left it until now to talk about Alice by Heart, the musical by the writers of Spring Awakening. Not because I've seen it, but because I read an earlier world premiere script (which was published by National Theatre for NT Connections 2016)
I had extreme reservations then and judging by reviews the show has not changed all that much.
My main problem with NT 2016 version still seems to persist in the 2019 MCC version. Namely, the show isn't sure how carrollian it wants to be. And its two stories in one link is awkward...
When I read the 2016 NT script, I found there was a hard to ignore mis match between Carroll's story and the framing device of a teenager using Carroll's book as a way to escape war hardship and losing her beloved.
The awkward match feels awkward because the writers use Carroll as a way of talking about teen issues.
*sigh*
So the eat me drink me scene is about eating disorders. The Duchess sings a sexually charged song because hey! Alice in this version is approaching womanhood and is heterosexual (of course).
This feels incredibly crow barred in and it disrupts what is otherwise a fairly good concept.
Also I have the same problem that I have with every version that tries to "age up" Alice - the character, at its heart (ha!) is 7 and a half. And ageing up a character alone doesn't really change that.
Basically, I wish I could like Alice by Heart, but somehow just can't. Sorry.
