Like Alice: A Theatrical Journey in the Botanical Garden

Set in a fantastic world and populated by strange creatures, the show titled "Like Alice…" written and directed by Giovanna Facciolo, is being performed from Saturday, April 13th (at 11 AM, with repeats until Sunday, 28th) for the 28th edition of the Spring Fairytales at the Botanical Garden of Naples. Produced by I Teatrini for the historic series realized with the University of Naples Federico II, the show reworks and adapts for the lush Neapolitan garden one of the most beloved and well-known fairy tales in universal children's literature. Starting from the famous story "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll, the wandering reinterpretation by Giovanna Facciolo creates a fascinating journey where the characters from the famous book, played by actors Adele Amato de Serpis, Cristina Messere, Monica Costigliola, and Valentina Carbonara (masks, figures, and costumes by Rosellina Leone and Francesca Caracciolo), are linked to the many enchanting views offered by the magnificent naturalistic context. Alice, the protagonist, introduces herself to the young audience from the beginning simply as a girl who has grown up too quickly and has forgotten everything, including her name. "Her figure," comments the author and director, "is that of a girl in search of herself, a surreal metaphor for growth and the discomfort that physical change causes her. An Alice who has forgotten everything she knew before she suddenly grew up, and who sets out, with the help of the children, to find herself. This search connects the character to the young audience, creating feelings of solidarity, protection, and support towards the defenseless protagonist." The story concludes with everyone passing through a magical labyrinth, the fern grove of the Botanical Garden where, according to legend, it is possible to find lost names. "By reclaiming her name and her memories," concludes Giovanna Facciolo, "Alice will then be able to exist again, together with her most loyal travel companions." The "Spring Fairytales" organized by the Association I Teatrini and the University of Naples Federico II, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Campania Region, and the Municipality of Naples, will continue with "The Fables of Wisdom" featuring ancient fables by Aesop, Phaedrus, and La Fontaine (on the 4th and 5th with a double show at 11 AM and 5 PM on the occasion of "Planta 2024" and with further morning repeats, at 11 AM, on the 12th, 19th, and 26th of May); "In the Kingdom of OZ" from the famous "The Wizard of Oz" by Lyman Frank Baum (on the 11th, 18th, 25th of May and 1st of June, at 11 AM) and, finally, "The Story of a Tree and a Boy" (only on the 1st and 2nd of June, at 11 AM) a delicate green fairy tale inspired by an illustrated story by Shel Silverstein.