Jabberwocky To Be Part of the ‘Inspired by Alice’ Day

Published on: 2 Aug, 2016
Updated on: 8 Aug, 2016

Ashley Horne and Samantha Weems who played ‘the Hatter’ and ‘Alice’ in 2015. Samantha is playing ‘Alice’ again this year.

‘Inspired by Alice’, will be the the second ‘Alice Day’ to be held at Guildford Castle Grounds, on Sunday August 7, celebrating Guildford’s connection with Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland.

Last year was the very first event held on the 150th anniversary of the book’s publication. Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles Dodgson, actually wrote Alice through the Looking-glass in the house he rented for his six maiden sisters in Guildford, The Chestnuts, next door to the castle grounds on Castle Hill. He died in Guildford and is buried in the Mount cemetery.

Last year, ‘Senior Wych Productions’ performed ‘The Hatter’s Tea Party’ on the castle motte and this year they are performing ‘Jabberwocky’ in the Alice Garden.

Diane Maxfield as the Cheshire Cat

Once again, Diane Maxfield will be appearing as the Cheshire Cat (this year with a new pair of hips, which she hopes will make the running about a bit easier!) and also face painting the kiddies to raise funds for Guildford and Godalming Cats Protection. There will also be a ‘lion game’ tombola. Where a cuddly lion can be won for 50p!

Entry to the event is free and it’s expected to be lots of fun for children (and adults) of all ages.

The Jabberwock puppet will be based on an Emperor Dragonfly, the largest of the British dragonflies, which can be seen in the castle grounds and down by the river.

Diane Maxfield said: “The puppet has an eight-foot wingspan, so manipulating it is great fun – not! The reason it is a dragonfly is that I want the audience to learn that lots of wildlife can be seen in the castle grounds, if you know what to look for.

See notice: Jabberwocky – Castle Grounds, August 7