Working as the lead construction draughtsman for the 2020 Royal Opera House production of Alice’s Adventures Underground was an exhilarating journey into the fantastical world of Lewis Carroll. This unique production, with its whimsical narrative and surreal settings, required a blend of precision and imagination to bring Wonderland to life on stage.
The set design, conceived by the talented designer and director Antony McDonald, was nothing short of extraordinary. The main setting was a 19th-century toy theatre, featuring a series of dynamic, interactive sliders that transformed the raked stage by moving different props from one side to the other. The set included concealed footlights, moving parts, and elaborate backdrops that had to seamlessly transition from one scene to the next. Our drawings detailed every mechanism and structure, ensuring that these fantastical elements could be reliably constructed and operated.
Seeing Alice’s Adventures Underground come to life on stage was a testament to the power of detailed planning and creative collaboration. The technical drawings were the foundation upon which this magical world was built, ensuring that every fantastical element supported the storytelling.
Reflecting on this project, we are reminded of the importance of technical drawings in theatre. They transform creative visions into tangible, functional realities, enabling audiences to experience the magic of productions like Alice’s Adventures Underground. This project was a delightful challenge, and we are proud to have been a part of bringing Wonderland to the Royal Opera House stage.
To find out more about this production you can read The Guardian review by Andrew Clements, or take a look at a behind the scenes photo essay by Tristram Kenton, Mee-Lai Stone and Imogen Tilden.
- Director & Designer – Antony McDonald
- Head of Construction – Mark Pursey
Brilliant in every surreal detail.
Andrew Clements, The Guardian
