Alice, the White Rabbit and an array of other colourful Lewis Carroll characters are preparing to take to the stage for a special show providing a new twist to a classic tale.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. From left, Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. From left, Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Alice Back In Wonderland is the Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company's summer show and it opens at the city venue tomorrow night.

It is the 28th production directed by David Lambert, the venue's theatre arts course director who is leaving this summer, and he said audiences were in for a treat.

Mr Lambert said: 'There are a lot of the traditional characters from Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. There's adventure and sadness and happiness, and a lot of fun too. All of life is here really.

'We start in a very sad point in Alice's life where she doesn't believe Wonderland really existed, it was all a dream - or was it?'

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Director, David Lambert, with from left, White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Director, David Lambert, with from left, White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

More than 280 young people are involved in the production which runs until Saturday.

When asked about his highlights in the show, Mr Lambert said: 'There's a couple of songs I'm rather proud of that the cast do rather beautifully - but you will have to come watch the show to hear them!'

Eighteen-year-old Matilda Bailes, from Happisburgh, is playing the role of Alice.

'I grew up reading the books and watching the films so to say I am playing Alice is really cool. It's so fun,' she said.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. White Rabbit played by Sam Ings. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. White Rabbit played by Sam Ings. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'The show is crazy, fun, magical, and for everyone. It's a family show for all ages.'

She said the cast were determined to put on an extra special production as it is Mr Lambert's final show at the theatre.

'David's great. We want everyone to come to see the show because it's David's last show and it's the end of an era. It is one spectacular show to go out with a bang,' she said.

Sam Ings, 20, from Scoulton, near Watton, plays the White Rabbit in what will be his final youth theatre company production. He described Alice Back In Wonderland as a magical show full of jokes for all ages, lots of twists and turns, and some very poignant songs.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Alice played by Matilda Bailes, and White Rabbit played by Sam Ings. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Alice played by Matilda Bailes, and White Rabbit played by Sam Ings. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Alice Back In Wonderland, with book, music and lyrics by David Lambert, opens at Norwich Theatre Royal tomorrow and runs until Saturday.

Tickets £7-£12. To book tickets, visit www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk or call 01603 630000.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Alice played by Matilda Bailes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Alice played by Matilda Bailes. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Alice played by Matilda Bailes, and White Rabbit played by Sam Ings. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. Alice played by Matilda Bailes, and White Rabbit played by Sam Ings. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. From left, Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. From left, Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. From left, Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorwich Theatre Royal Youth Company rehearse Alice Back in Wonderland. From left, Red Queen played by Lauren Bryant; Alice played by Matilda Bailes; Queen of Hearts played by Cherie Hendrie; White Rabbit played by Sam Ings; and March Hare played by Isaac Wright. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)