Cirque Alice circus show to premiere in London’s Royal Festival Hall
A new circus production reimagining Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Cirque Alice, will stage its European premiere at London’s Royal Festival Hall in December 2026. From the creators of Circus 1903, the two-hour show promises a magical blend of circus arts for all ages.
Cirque Alice, a circus retelling of Lewis Carroll’s classic story, will play at the Royal Festival Hall from 13 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. The production comes from Simon Painter and Tim Lawson, known for their work on Circus 1903, and features a range of circus disciplines alongside familiar Wonderland characters. The show is suitable for audiences of all ages and will also offer on-stage seating.
The production has previously enjoyed sell-out runs in Australia and Singapore, confirming its international appeal. Painter described the Alice tales as “the perfect backdrop” for a cirque show, noting the story’s eccentric characters and imaginative narrative as key inspirations.
Lawson highlighted the production’s appeal for diverse audiences, stating it “dazzles audiences of all ages” and suits both date nights and family outings. The show includes aerialists, acrobats, contortionists, puppetry, and live musical acts, paired with newly arranged mixes of classical music.
Creative directors Ash Jacks McCready and Kirsty Painter lead the artistic vision, supported by choreography from Dane Bates, costumes designed by Angela Aaron, lighting by Hugo Mercier, and music arranged by Martin Raabe-Olsen and Marius Christiansen. The production is presented by Roast Productions and Senbla alongside Lawson and Painter.
Tickets for Cirque Alice go on sale from Thursday, 16 April, ahead of its winter season in London. The show’s intermingling of classic storytelling and contemporary circus marks a notable addition to the capital’s festive theatre offerings.