A mesmerising, flawless production – take a trip down the rabbit hole with this incredible cast
Presented by: Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 8th January, 2026
Her Majesty’s Theatre has been transported to a magical wonderland, and audiences are invited to take a trip down the rabbit hole with Alice.
From the producers behind The Illusionists, Cirque Alice is themed around Alice’s Adventures in WonderlandbyLewis Carroll. Across the two acts, audiences are treated to the best circus, comedy, magic and acrobatic acts you may ever see. Each member of this incredible cast are at the top of their game and present 130 minutes of flawless performances.
Alice (Layla Schiller) follows The White Rabbit (Darius Thompson) down the rabbit hole, meeting cast members who each loosely represent the eccentric characters of the original text.
The Tweedles (TT Boys – Tamara Kuka and Tomas Teka Alemu) quickly set the pace with their highly energetic and gravity defying routine, flipping and throwing each other in the air in a display of incredible leg strength. Viktor Hladchenko as The March Hare followed with an impressive Cyr wheel routine. Contortion Quartet (Enkhzaya Battogoo, Baigalmaa Chuluun, Doljinsuren Ganbold and Dolgorsuren Ganbold) as The Caterpillar twisted and contorted their bodies in ways you would think impossible to hold poses that left the audiences speechless. Daniel Schwarz as Snap Dragonfly showcased his incredible strength and ability with a suspended pole routine above the audience. To round out the first half, The Knights (Ramadhani Brothers – Fadhili Rshidi and Ibrahim Mwaimise) had the audience bursting with wild applause throughout their routine, showcasing their superhuman strength and incredible balancing skills.
The second half opened with a tea party, and we saw The Dormouse (Estuart Mena Gonzales) positioned high on a platform balancing upon curiously positioned cylinders. This was followed by Wonderland’s Juggler, Brandon Raffo, showcasing his incredible baton and ball juggling routine. Munguntsatsrag Naranbaatar as The Queen of Hearts took command of the stage with a jaw-dropping Acro Block and, like many of the acts in Cirque Alice, left you questioning the laws of gravity. Duo Emo (Emeline Goavee and Yoann Benhamou) as The Flamingos mesmerised the audiences with their hypnotic trapeze routine. The final routine featured Duo M.G. Rollerskate (Daniel Monni and Marina Sabetta) as The White King and White Queen in an impressive display of roller skating tricks that saw Monni spinning Sabetta off the ground with the use of straps while spinning on skates.
Every act is supported by modernised and reimagined classical music pieces. Throughout Cirque Alice The White Rabbit (Darius Thompson) accompanied the routines on the violin. Thompson’s playing was nothing short of virtuosic. The command he has over his instrument is as impressive as the acts he was supporting. Layla Schillert as Alice not only tied the show together with her character, but she also supported the acts with her voice. Her crystal clear, bell-like soprano was breathtaking to listen to.
Popping up at random times and places through the venue was the sensational Paul Dabek as The Mad Hatter. Anyone who has seen Dabek’s work at the Adelaide Fringe (London Calling) knows how quick and left-of-centre his mind works. Holding the audience in the palm of his hand, Dabek performed several incredible illusions and his banter with the audiences had everyone in fits of laughter.
Rounding out the cast for Cirque Alice was a troupe of dancers, featuring Lachlan Greenland, Lexi Calis, Charlee Danilczak, Gabriel Herrera and Kaylee Smith. This ensemble featured across the entire performance as supporting characters, performing exquisite choreography throughout.
The production values behind Cirque Alice are world class. From the impressive lighting design, the costuming, the choreography, the audio and the musical arrangements, each department perfectly supported one another to create a production that is a true feast for the senses.
Cirque Alice is the perfect family outing these school holidays. It is fast-paced and highly entertaining. The cast is world-class and their flawlessly presented routines leave the audience wanting more. You cannot help but leave with a cheshire cat smile on your face.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: 8 – 18 January, 2026
Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes (Includes one 20-minute interval
Tickets: From $79 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/cirque-alice
Photo credit: Supplied
