Chris Riddells Alice in Wonderland
Channel: British Library
Date: 2021-10-13

What is the use of a book,' thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversations?'

This event has both: live illustration from the multi-award winning writer and illustrator Chris Riddell, and performances of iconic scenes from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. With actors Elf Lyons, Helen Duff, Vivi Diwantesa and Steven Butler. Directed by Kate Golledge.

Passionate Wonderland fan Chris Riddell launches this new edition, a richly illustrated reimagining of the classic children’s story. Watch Chris illustrate characters live and hear him talk about why this book still captivates him today. This event was filmed on location in the British Library, which holds the original manuscript of Lewis Carroll’s world famous story.

Macmillan Children’s Books is presenting this brand new edition in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John Tenniel, the original illustrator of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Chris Riddell is an accomplished artist and the political cartoonist for the Observer. He has enjoyed great acclaim for his books for children. His work for Macmillan also includes the bestselling Ottoline books and The Emperor of Absurdia. Chris has been honoured with an OBE in recognition of his illustration and charity work and was the UK Children's Laureate from 2015 to 2017.

Elf Lyons is an comedian, actor and writer. In 2017 she was Edinburgh Festival Best Show Nominee. She is known for her distinctive and unique voice – which mixes stand-up, sass, clowning, drag and astute social commentary to create ungainly, surreal comedy spectacles on stage. She will next be seen returning to the new series of The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2)!

Helen Duff is a critically acclaimed and socially conscious clown, writer and actress, who has toured her solo shows across the UK, Australia and Europe. She is the resident SEN associate artist at Attenborough Arts Centre Leicester, and an ambassador for Clowns Without Borders UK, appearing as resident relationship adviser Trudy on BBC 2’s The Mash Report and alongside Will Ferrell in 2018 feature film, Holmes and Watson.

Kate Gollege is a UK based theatre director, who specialises in new musicals and making work with & for young people. She is an Associate Artist of the Singapore Repertory Theatre, for whom she has developed and directed a catalogue of children’s shows over the last ten years, seen by around two hundred thousand primary school aged children.

Steven Butler is the author of the bestselling The Diary Of Dennis The Menace and The Wrong Pong fiction series. He hosted World Book Day’s The Biggest Book Show on Earth (2015 & 2016) for over 30,000 children. Steven is also a successful performer and voice artist. His credits include The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, Trevor Nunn’s production of The Tempest opposite Ralph Fiennes at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, and Lost Boy The Musical.

Vivi Diwantesa is a graduate of WAC Arts, where she was taught by professionals such as Chè Walker, David Blake, Indra Ove and Daniele Lydon. She has recently been seen on The West End performing An Amazon Stept Out alongside Anita Rani. Her Theatre credits include The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue and Euston Theatre. Dance credits include The Wembley Stadium and The Excel Centre.