Holiday adventures with Alice and friends live on stage in Hamilton

The cast has been rehearsing since October (from left): Evangeline Wilkinson (Flower), Brodie Erskine-Meyers (King of Hearts) and Drea Strother (Alice). Photo / Kerry Blakeney-Williams

Looking for school holiday entertainment? One option this summer, bound to appeal to both young and old alike, is the madcap adventures of favourite heroine, Alice in Wonderland - live on stage in Hamilton.

Presented by local musical theatre group, Musikmakers at Riverlea Theatre, this upbeat one-hour show features a young cast singing and dancing their way through this much-loved story.

The show - inspired by the Disney movie Alice in Wonderland from 1951 - opens on January 19.

Alice (Drea Strother) contemplates whether or not to eat. Photo / Kerry Blakeney-Williams

Alice in Wonderland Jr follows the adventures of the ever-curious girl: racing the Dodo Bird, being tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, rapping with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beating the Queen of Hearts at her own game.

A January season of a children's production has become an annual event at Riverlea Theatre, and seats sell out fast. Director Coryn Knapper is certain audiences will love Alice in Wonderland Jr.

She says: "We have a wonderfully talented cast, and some of these young performers have had experience in several musicals.

"This is a fast-paced take on the classic tale, featuring updated songs from Disney's classic animated movie with lots of action and colourful costumes."

The cast of 32 have been rehearsing since October, allowing the young performers - aged between 10 and 18 years - to get an impression of the life of a professional actor.

Musikmakers have established a strong reputation for developing youth in musical theatre through regularly winning awards for their productions.

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee's antics feature in Alice in Wonderland Jr. Tweedle Dum (Alice Field, right) and Tweedle Dee (River Park, left). Photo / Kerry Blakeney-Williams

The current cast are drawn from across the Waikato and feature performers from Waitoa, Te Awamutu, Cambridge and Hamilton.

Alice in Wonderland Jr can be seen from January 19 until January 23 at Riverlea Theatre in Hillcrest, Hamilton.

There are morning, afternoon and evening performances to choose from. Tickets from $15.

All information and bookings at iticket.co.nz or phone the booking office on 0508 iticket.