HOME Manchester’s ambitious plan to stage an outdoor summer production of Alice in Wonderland has been cancelled due to what the theatre calls the “current challenging environment, including the implications of Covid-19”.
The production’s rehearsals were badly affected by Covid restrictions, said a company spokeswoman.
“Covid-19 has impacted the rehearsal process greatly, and HOME has been unable to realise the creative vision for the show,” she explained.
The production, directed by HOME associate creative director Lekan Lawal, was to have been presented on the theatre’s “Homeground” outdoor stage area – ironically, a purpose-built outdoor venue on First Street designed to bring audiences back to the city safely.
The production was intended as a "joyful outdoor show for the family", featuring classic anthems and new songs in an adaptation that had Alice and her little brother Lewis fall into an alternative world of magic and mayhem as Manchester turned to Madchester.
The new adaptation of the story would have have been one of the major events in the theatre’s Homeground summer line-up, produced by Stockroom – the new name for what was formerly respected theatre company Out of Joint.
"We’re incredibly sad to have to share this news, but HOME and Stockroom remain committed to working together and work on future projects will start immediately," the spokeswoman promised.