Lewis Carroll’s literary classic gets an adrenaline-pumping reimagination through the lens of circus.

By now, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has become such a popular story that it’s seeped into almost every corner of pop culture. So it’s no surprise that it’s finally found its way into the circus ring, a genre that feels almost made for Wonderland. After all, both are filled with the fantastical and the impossible, where the laws of logic bend and imagination takes flight.

That’s the central spirit of Cirque Alice, which makes its way to Singapore this October, bringing with it a night of family-friendly fun and jaw-dropping circus acts. Created by Tim Lawson (TML Enterprises) and Simon Painter (Painter Productions), the show bursts to life under blinding lights and a floral archway, with a runway extending into the audience, and for those with premium tickets, even the chance to sit onstage for a close-up view of the action.

Cirque Alice loosely follows the structure of the original tale. Our lead Alice is accidentally thrust into a surreal dreamscape and encounters all kinds of whimsical creatures, from talking animals to anthropomorphic playing cards, each reimagined through the art of circus.

This isn’t your typical Wonderland, though. Alice, for one, is a trained opera singer, and sings rather than speaks whenever she appears. Her ethereal renditions of classics like Ave Maria lend her scenes a magical, almost cinematic feel, especially when combined with a few clever stage tricks, like when she “grows” to the heights of the ceiling, a nod to her size-shifting adventures in the book. All this while chasing a violin-shredding White Rabbit deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole.

The show continues to build momentum as it goes, and half the fun comes from spotting clever references to Carroll’s world. Tweedledee and Tweedledum become twin acrobats juggling each other midair; the Caterpillar is reimagined as four contortionists twisting into impossible shapes; and the March Hare works a Cyr Wheel with fluid precision. Even the Dormouse gets his moment, balancing precariously on a Rola Bola and somehow managing to keep his composure and our nerves on edge.

Other standout moments come from the ensemble, each showing off their particular strengths: a soloist scaling an aerial pole with almost inhuman control, a juggler dazzling with perfect timing and cheeky charm, and a pair of acrobats who balance on each other’s heads while climbing ladders, a feat that’s as mind-boggling as it sounds.

Comic relief arrives in the form of the Mad Hatter, who plays the ringmaster and resident clown. His infectious energy keeps the audience engaged between acts, whether he’s leading applause, performing clever magic tricks, or roping an unsuspecting audience member into the fun. Meanwhile, dancers dressed as flowers, teapots, and card soldiers fill the stage between acts, adding to the show’s sense of wonder and spectacle.

But Cirque Alice saves its best for last. The Queen of Hearts makes a grand regal, entrance, revealing a glittering bodysuit as she performs a breathtaking balance act high above the ground, exuding both elegance and authority. The energy only climbs from there, quite literally, as the “flamingos” take to the air in a two-person aerial strap act that mixes strength, trust and romance, leaving a trail of petals fluttering across the stage. Finally, the show ends on a high-speed thrill: two roller skaters spinning at impossible speed on a tiny platform, defying gravity and drawing gasps from the crowd.

With energetic music, dazzling lights, and non-stop momentum, Cirque Alice’s Wonderland draws to a close on a triumphant note, leaving audiences exhilarated and a little breathless from the sheer sensory overload. A feast for the eyes and a celebration of imagination, Cirque Alice is a delightful ride through a familiar fantasy world, reimagined through acrobatics, humour and heart-stopping spectacle. For anyone looking for a dose of wonder this October, this is one rabbit hole worth diving into.

Cirque Alice plays from 9th to 26th October 2025 at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Tickets available here