Head down the rabbit hole for Adventures in Wonderland with Z-arts

Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts invites families to step into the pages of Lewis Carroll’s beloved tale, celebrating 160 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. But behind the scenes, it’s a story of collaboration, creativity, and community spirit.

When families step through the doors of Z-arts to enjoy Adventures in Wonderland, they’ll find themselves tumbling into a vivid, magical world straight out of Lewis Carroll’s imagination.

Yet, behind the enchanting pool of tears and the chaos of the Mad Hatter’s tea party lies a story just as compelling: the story of a the Z-arts community pulling together, harnessing creativity, and sharing a labour of love to bring this immersive experience to life.

Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts

From the first concept sketch to the final flourish of paint, the project has been a labour of love. Local artists, designers, builders, and storytellers worked hand in hand to craft an immersive experience that captures the whimsy of Wonderland.

Saskia Metcalf, Z-arts’ Head of Creative Development and Project Manager, reflected on the origins of the project.

“We’d worked with MacMillan’s Children’s Books before and other creative partners in the past, but we hadn’t had as much creative control over those projects. After years of collaborating with others, we felt it was time to go at it ourselves.”

The seed for Adventures in Wonderland was planted, and with the support of MacMillan, celebrating the story’s 160th anniversary, the stars seemed perfectly aligned.

Choosing Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was no coincidence. Z-arts conducted consultations with local families, seeking a story that resonated with their community. Alice’s imaginative escapades, with all their whimsy and playfulness, proved a perfect fit. As Saskia put it, “Alice is about imagination, childhood, freedom, and escapism. All themes that still resonate with children today.”

But this wasn’t just another retelling of a classic tale. For the Z-arts team, the goal was to make Alice’s adventures an opportunity for children to embark on their own journeys. Saskia said, “We’ve called it Adventures in Wonderland rather than Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland because the idea is that when you come as a child, you are on your adventure.

“Your adventure is whatever you want to make it”

This philosophy shaped every decision during the project, from reimagining the original illustrations to tailoring the experience for their audience of one to eight-year-olds. Leading the design was Louise Ryder, a local artist whose contributions, along with her family’s, underscored the community-driven nature of the project. “It’s been a real family affair,” said Saskia. “Louise’s mom, Caroline, did the illustrations, and her dad, Richard, was a key part of the build team.”

The collaborative nature of Adventures in Wonderland extended far beyond Louise and her family. From scriptwriting to prop-making, costume design, and music composition, Z-arts’ core staff and associate artists poured their talents into the project.

Musical composer Richard Kudekha-Lark describes the joy of creating for such a tight-knit, dynamic team: “We see the children every week. We know who’s coming and what they like. It means we can create something that really resonates with the young people visiting the exhibition.”

For Richard, crafting the music was about honouring the legacy of Alice in Wonderland while bringing something fresh to the table. “Alice is such a classic story with very strong imagery and sounds. My approach was to create something exciting for a new generation of young people,” he explained.

“The music taps into some of the classic iconography of the book but in a way that’s fun and appropriate for kids.”

The heart of the project, however, wasn’t just the outcome, it was in the process. Saskia reminisces about early brainstorming sessions with Louise, sitting in a pub sketching out ideas for what Wonderland could look and feel like. From those humble beginnings grew a full-scale collaboration involving months of meticulous work. The transformation of the Z-arts space was nothing short of remarkable. What began as “bare bones” evolved into a fully realised world where children can climb, explore, and play.

Capturing the awe and wonder of Wonderland

Every corner of Wonderland reflects the team’s passion and creativity. The pool of tears, a ball pit shimmering in watery blues, captures the awe and wonder that the story inspires.

The sensory mushroom room invites children into a magical glow of UV light and sound, while the giant table for the Mad Hatter’s tea party can host a full class of schoolchildren. Saskia said, “Each bit feels completely different. But if I had to pin it down, I’d say the pool of tears is my favourite—it just looks magical.”

For Richard, the music brought its own challenges and rewards. “One of the pieces that took the longest was the music for the Queen of Hearts and the cards. I wanted something Baroque-inspired, but as a non-classical composer, it was a challenge. Testing the sounds in the space and seeing it come together was really special.”

“This is the most fun thing I’ve done in 15 years at Z-arts”

Beyond the creative triumphs, what makes Adventures in Wonderland truly extraordinary is the sense of pride and ownership that the team shares. As Saskia said, “It’s probably the most fun thing I’ve done in my 15 years at Z-arts. Just having the freedom to come up with ideas with the children and families and seeing it grow has been amazing. It’s been brilliant working with all of my artistic colleagues and the wider team.”

Richard echoes her sentiments, describing the pride of contributing to something so meaningful. “With previous exhibitions, they were beautiful and fun, but being part of building this one has been really special. Seeing everyone’s artistry and realising how highly skilled and amazing your colleagues are has been something truly memorable.”

Adventures in Wonderland is a celebration of the power of imagination, community, and collaboration. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together with a shared vision.

As Richard summed it up, “Alice in Wonderland resonates because it encourages imagination and play, and those things are timeless. This project is about inviting children (and adults too!)into a world where they can let their imaginations run wild.”

When families go down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland, they’ll be stepping into a space filled with heart, creativity, and the magic of a community coming together to create something extraordinary.

Tickets for Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts

You can get tickets to Adventures in Wonderland at Z-arts by clicking here