PERTH performer Ian Toyne will be channelling his inner G-rated Johnny Depp when he takes to the stage during the July school holidays for Alice In Wonderland Meets Peter Rabbit.
Heavily influenced by the look of Depp’s film character, Toyne is taking on the fun role of the Mad Hatter with gusto in the one-hour Prompt Corner production.
It is Toyne’s first show under the direction of Diana Waldron, who founded Perth City Ballet in 1961 and later Prompt Corner.
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READ NOW“I was recommended to her by another actor, Igor Sas, who wasn’t available for the role she was offering,” Toyne said.
“I always take work opportunities when they come up and Igor is someone I trust.
“When I found out Perth City Ballet had been around for so long, I thought I had to meet this woman. She is a force to be reckoned with.”
Toyne said Waldron had been quite faithful to telling the Lewis Carroll story of Alice In Wonderland primarily through dance and it featured everyone’s favourites, from the Cheshire Cat and Queen of Hearts to Dormouse, Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
“The Peter Rabbit character has taken over the role of the White Rabbit,” he said.
“It’s colourful, big and bold. I think she’s made it accessible and interesting for everyone.
“The acting is like that big pantomime style so it’s getting audiences engaged and from Diana’s point of view it’s applying dance in a narrative style, which is a wonderful storytelling device.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Alice In Wonderland Meets Peter Rabbit
Where: Perth Town Hall
When: July 4 to 7
Tickets: www.trybooking.com/TPFE