Cirque Alice Theatre Review at Sydney Lyric

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https://www.sydneylyric.com.au/cirque-alice

Date Reviewed: 02/10/2026

“Cirque Alice” is undoubtedly a curiouser and curiouser show. It is one that fuses together traditional circus stunts with comedy, dancing, and theatrics. The result is something that will dazzle, shock, and amuse you, transporting you to a world filled with a childlike sense of wonderment.

It should come as no surprise that the team behind The Illusionists, Tim Lawson and Simon Painter, are responsible for this show. They certainly know how to stage a spectacle and are deftly supported by the on-point lighting (Hugo Mercier) and the costumes (Angela Aaron) that glisten and sparkle. In “Cirque Alice” the production uses quite an inspired idea to loosely base the plot on Lewis Carrol’s “Alice in Wonderland.” It’s certainly a story that lends itself to some eye-opening and thrilling theatrics.

Australian soprano, Layla Schillert stars as the eponymous Alice. Her vocal range is utterly beguiling. The music by composers, Marius Christiansen and Martin Raabe-Olsen is a mix of traditional classical arrangements and pulsating beats more akin to dancing at a nightclub. The result is a high energy straight out of the gate, and something that does not wane over the course of the two-hour show.

Paul Dabek stars as the Mad Hatter and brings magic, comedy, and shadow puppetry to the role, during the interludes between the death-defying acts. Raphael Papo meanwhile, is the White Rabbit who plays a mean violin. These frantic pieces really heighten the already energetic spectacle. 

But it is the ensemble cast of world-class acrobats and contortionists who truly own this show. Veronika Ivanova is the Queen of Hearts who balances her body in incredible moves of precision and strength. The Ramadhani Brothers who appeared on “America’s Got Talent” also displayed death-defying displays of strength, even to the point of balancing on one’s head! And not to be outdone, Tamrat Kuka and Tomas Teka Alemu of the TT Boys also astound with some astonishing acrobatics. 

I defy you to watch this show and not sit there eyes-widened and open-mouthed. The whole proceedings are so incredibly dazzling. It really is like being transported to a whole another world (or down that rabbit hole to Wonderland so to speak).

“Cirque Alice” is a show that should appeal to all ages, as there is a little something for everyone here. It was chock full of energy and visual spectacles with each stunt more incredible than the last. In short, this is the perfect combination of music, magic, and mayhem so treat yourself to the tea party, you won’t regret it. 

Review by Natalie Salvo

Cirque Alice plays at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre until October 11.