V&A’s blockbuster exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser to be adapted for the big screen
V&A’s blockbuster exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser to be adapted for the big screen
Illustration from first published edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, illustrated by John Tenniel, 1866. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Today the V&A announces that a unique filmed experience of its landmark 2021 exhibition Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser will be screened in cinemas nationwide from 14th October, marking the museum’s first exhibition to be adapted for the big screen since its globally sold-out David Bowie Is show. This special cinema event will give Alice fans worldwide the opportunity to discover more about the exhibition, uncover new insights into the books from leading creatives and enjoy the V&A’s blockbuster exhibition at their local cinema.
The V&A is the first museum to fully explore the cultural impact of Alice in Wonderland and its ongoing inspiration for leading creatives, from Salvador Dalí and Yayoi Kusama, to Tim Burton, Vivienne Westwood and Little Simz. Delving into the origins, adaptations and reinventions of Alice over 158 years, this entertaining and informative documentary, presented by senior V&A Curator Kate Bailey and broadcaster Andi Oliver, will guide the audience through the exhibition, exploring the book’s evolution from manuscript to a global phenomenon beloved by all ages.
Audiences will be transported into the V&A’s wonderful world of wonderland designed by award-winning theatre designer Tom Piper: five Alice-inspired worlds arranged thematically – spanning film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography. This exclusive private view of the exhibition has been filmed especially for the big screen with stunning close-ups of key objects and insightful interviews with guest contributors, including Peter Blake and Ralph Steadman, who will help uncover the history of Alice’s creation and reinventions.
A Mad Tea Party, Salvador Dali, 1969. © Salvador Dali, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, DACS 2019
Kate Bailey, Senior Curator, Design and Scenography at the V&A and curator of Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser, said: “Creating a film of Alice’s exhibition Adventures is a dream and an incredible way of sharing the experience with audiences who are unable to visit the exhibition in London. Curating an exhibition is years of research and a cinema film is a great way of capturing the bigger picture. It provides an exciting opportunity to delve deeper into the impact and legacy of Alice, sharing unseen and extraordinary insights into the imagination of artists and designers creating Wonderlands. It was particularly special to walk through the exhibition with Andi Oliver, following Alice’s journey across time, place and media. Together we explore how and why Alice, with her brave, curious and questioning character, continues to inspire us and audiences across the world.”
The UK cinema release will be followed by international screenings later in the year and continuing into 2022. Directed by Dione Orrom and Matt Askem, The V&A presents Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser is produced and distributed by Trafalgar Releasing, a global leader in Event Cinema distribution, with a roster of immersive exhibition documentaries including the V&A’s David Bowie Is, Pompeii from the British Museum and The British Museum presents Hokusai.
Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing comments: “Alice has been an inspiration for generations and is an icon for today. We’re delighted to be partnering with the V&A to bring this ground-breaking exhibition to a global cinema audience.”
The V&A presents Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser will be screening at selected Cineworld, Curzon, Empire, Everyman, Light, Picturehouse, Odeon, Showcase, Vue and independent cinemas nationwide from 14 October 2021. Tickets prices vary and are on sale from today at AliceInCinemas.com where information on participating venues will be updated regularly.