This four-part BBC1 musical dramatisation of the Lewis Carroll classic starred Kate Dorning in the title role and debuted on Sunday 5 January 1986.
It’s a straightforward but faithful adaptation and stays true to Lewis Carroll’s original dialogue and doesn’t omit any major episodes, as some adaptations have. It’s clear. though, that the production was made on a children’s television budget and the green-screen work is frequently glaringly obvious.
Each episode began with a sepia-toned scene showing Carroll (David Leonard) himself reading the story to Alice and her sisters.
Dorning was too old for Alice really but gave a winsome and spirited performance, supported ably by a large cast, particularly Michael Wisher as a quietly menacing but suave Cheshire Cat, Pip Donaghy’s appropriately weird Mad Hatter, Jonathan Cecil as a nervous White Rabbit and Janet Henfrey’s intimidating Queen of Hearts. Elizabeth Sladen (Doctor Who‘s Sarah Jane) was Dormouse.
Director Barry Letts and producer Terrance Dicks were also mainly known for their involvement with Doctor Who.
Alice
Kate Dorning White Rabbit
Jonathan Cecil Duckworth
Philip Trewinnard Lewis Carroll
David Leonard Duck
Jill Goldston The Robin
Simon J. Williamson Monkey
Frank McGregor Frog
Stephanie Simm Dormouse
Elisabeth Sladen Cheshire Cat
Michael Wisher Queen of Hearts
Janet Henfrey King of Hearts
Brian Oulton Knave of Hearts
Mark Bassenger Cook
Freda Dowie Duchess
Claire Davenport March Hare
Neil Fitzwiliam Mad Hatter
Pip Donaghy Executioner
Andrew Dunford Parrots
Barry Stearn
Colin Gallacher Monkey
Tessa Crockett Bill Lizard
Stuart Fell Mother Canary
Jo Kendall Gryphon
Brian Miller Mock Turtle
Roy Skelton Duck
Crispin Letts Seven of Spades
Michael Segal Five of Spades
Graham Cull Two of Spades
Terence Lodge Mouse
Ysanne Churchman Pat Guinea Pig
James Berwick Frog footman
Neal Swettenham Child Canary
Bernadette Windsor Dodo
Ian Wallace Caterpillar
Roy Macready Fish footman
John Baker Old Magpie
Alex Johnston Father William
Terry Williams Father William’s son
Ian Gant Alice’s sisters
Sarah Jane Curran
Alison Neil
Joanne Rolfe
Alice
Queen of Hearts
Mad Hatter
