Theatre, TV and book previews

Theatre – Alice in Wondlerland by Liverpool Playhouse

The world premiere of a funked-up remix of Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland, adapted by Stockroom, opens at the Liverpool Playhouse on 4 July before transferring to the Theatre Royal Plymouth from 1 to 5 August.

A riotous musical adventure for all the family, Alice in Wonderland features original new music inspired by the best of British pop, by Olivier Award winner Vikki Stone.
When tech-savvy teen Alice tries to repair her dear Dad’s much-loved old stereo, a slip of the screwdriver hurtles her into a strange new world. As the tape unravels, she meets a host of unlikely new friends and meets her musical match against the infamous Queen of Charts.

Produced in association with Stockroom and Theatre Royal Plymouth, the show stars multi-talented actor-musicians including Olivier, Critics Circle and WhatsOnStage.com award winner Leanne Jones as The Queen of Charts, and Liverpool actor Paislie Reid, (CITV’s The New Worst Witch and most recently seen in Red Riding Hood at the Liverpool Everyman), who takes the title role.

Joining them are Daniel Carter-Hope, Natasha Lewis, Jerome Lincoln, Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos, Tomi Ogbaro, John Pfumojena and Steve Simmonds.

Opening at Liverpool Playhouse on Tuesday 4 July, which is International Alice Day, head down the rabbit hole, through the looking glass and into a Wonderland like you’ve never seen before! Alice in Wonderland runs until Saturday 22 July, before heading to Theatre Royal Plymouth from Tuesday 1
to Saturday 5 August.

There are a range of accessible performances and ticket prices range from £11 to £41.

TV – Meet the McQueens

14-year-old Omari McQueen started his career at just age 7, when he launched his own line of plant-based dips and snacks called ‘Dipalicious’.

The UK’s youngest award-winning vegan chef, Omari, learnt to cook when his mum was seriously ill with migraines. His CBBC programme ‘What’s Cooking Omari?’ aired in 2020. Now, the show ‘Meet the McQueens’ focuses on not just Omari, but the whole McQueen family.

With seven siblings (the first episode features the newest addition of the family coming home!), there is always plenty going on in the McQueen household. This comedy-reality series sees the McQueens
take on life’s big and small challenges.

Packed with fun activities and delicious recipes, any aspiring
cooks or even those looking for something fun to watch should give it a try.
iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m001jf68/meet-the-mcqueens

Book – Fantastic Families by Omari McQueen – Illustrated by Sophie Green – Coming September 2023

Coming in September, Omari McQueen celebrates the topic of family by introducing readers to his own relatives! This vibrant 32-page picture book shows how families come in all shapes and sizes, and why all types of families should be celebrated!

Families are like food…some spicy, some savoury, some sweet, but always the most delicious dish!

Omari’s book celebrates the diversity of families and the importance of love and togetherness. It also features one of the UK’s youngest vegan chef’s very own recipes that families can bake at home.

Available to pre-order on WHS Smith: www.whsmith.co.uk/products/fantastic-families/
omari-mcqueen/sophia-green/paperback/9780702323966.html