All Things Alice: Interview with Dr. April James, Creator of The ALICE Way

As an amateur scholar and die-hard enthusiast of everything to do with Alice in Wonderland, I have launched a podcast that takes on Alice’s everlasting influence on pop culture. As an author who draws on Lewis Carroll’s iconic masterpiece for my Looking Glass Wars universe, I’m well acquainted with the process of dipping into Wonderland for inspiration.

The journey has brought me into contact with a fantastic community of artists and creators from all walks of life—and this podcast will be the platform where we come together to answer the fascinating question: “What is it about Alice?”

For this episode, it was my great pleasure to have wellness educator and opera singer Dr. April James join me as my guest! Read on to explore our conversation, and check out the whole series on your favorite podcasting platform to listen to the full interview.

Frank Beddor
Dr. April James, it's so nice to have you on the show.

Dr. April James
Thank you. It’s so nice to be on the show.

FB
Your approach to Alice in Wonderland and wellness is really interesting. The way you use Alice and the five steps is very clever. I’m excited to get into that. 

AJ
Thank you. I use them as they come to me.

FB
I want to start with a question about your introduction to Alice in Wonderland. Your website states it was Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, which is very unusual that his film would be the introduction, given how long Alice has been in pop culture. Most of the time, people either read the book when their parents introduced them or they saw the Disney animated movie. Before you saw Tim Burton's movie, what did you know of Wonderland?

AJ
I didn't know a whole lot. I might have seen the animated Disney film when I was a kid. I'm sure it was on television and it might have flitted by my consciousness. But I never read the books as a kid. The only bit of Lewis Carroll I really knew before seeing the Tim Burton film was the poem “Jabberwocky.” I took a Victorian literature class in undergrad, at Queens College, and we had to read that for an assignment. I loved that poem because I was into medieval stuff. I had taken Arthurian literature classes, and I was really big on knights in shining armor. The mock Old English style in which “Jabberwocky” is written really appealed to me and I just loved that. But I didn't really know anything else about Lewis Carroll or Alice's Adventures in Wonderland until after that Tim Burton film.

Still image from Tim Burton's 2010 film "Alice in Wonderland," featuring Johnny Depp as Tarrant Hightopp/Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh.

FB
Tell me about the experience of seeing the Tim Burton movie and relating that to “Jabberwocky” and its author. What was your reaction to the movie and where did you go from there?

AJ
I almost didn't see the film. I was at a really difficult point in my life. I returned to New York after getting my doctorate up at Harvard. I moved back in with my mother because that's what you do when you can't afford to do anything in New York. I came to call it a “Decade of Awfulness.” I was trying to build an opera career, some kind of creative career, but my mother kept having health issues and we kept having family friction because I have an older brother who was creating havoc at a distance with her. By the time March 2010 came around, I was borderline depressed and nothing was really working. But I was a member of the Actors Work Program, which is part of the entertainment industry unions, and I'd met someone who was a member of SAG. She had passes to the then newly opened Alice in Wonderland and she invited me. I thought, “Well, I don't really know anything about Lewis Carroll. I don't really care about Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.” I hemmed and hawed but eventually, I decided to go. I’d not seen a 3D film and I figured it'd be worth the price of admission. 

It just totally blew me away. The moment the music came up and the lights came up on the screen, I felt something reawaken in me. I'm a singer and a classical musician and the music caught my ear. There was some mystery and some magic and wonder and innocence in there. Then the visuals started to reach me and as Alice was going through her story, I kept finding resonances with my own life. Adults telling you what to do, “We think you should do this. Everyone should do that.” “What, I don't get an opinion here?” Then what really got me was the Mad Tea Party scene where Alice comes out of this clearing and there's a table with the Dormouse and the March Hare. Hatter’s at the end of the table asleep in his chair. As he awakens, he sees Alice coming out of the clearing and his face fills with delight. The moment his face filled the screen, I heard, inside my head, this British-accented voice go, “That's me.” I asked, “Me who?” No response. I just went back to watching the film and by the end, I came out of that theater and I felt this buzzing inside of me. Something reawakened in me. That's when I started being obsessed with Hatter, Lewis Carroll, and all things Alice.

FB
Had other films evoked such a strong reaction in you previously?

AJ
Not as strong as that. I had seen films that I just loved. When I was a teenager, I was really into the Beatles and I saw A Hard Day's Night. I'd sing the songs at the top of my lungs. Something like that. 

FB
Alice in Wonderland resonated with you to the point where you have a career built around wellness. You said you went back and started thinking about the Mad Hatter and all things Alice and Lewis Carroll. Where did the journey take you after the movie? Did you read the book? Did you see a documentary? What happened?

Illustration by Henry Holiday depicting the Butcher and the Beaver on the deck of a ship, from Lewis Carroll's 1876 nonsense poem "The Hunting of the Snark".

AJ
I read all the books. I read both of the Alice books and “Hunting of the Snark” and Sylvie and Bruno. I read biography after biography about Lewis Carroll and the more I learned about him, the more I fell in love with him. Especially reading the collections of his letters, I felt like I was encountering a long-lost uncle. That's how I felt and still feel about Lewis Caroll. He gets me. He gets children. He gets people. If we're in a foul mood, he knows how to pull us out of it.

FB
There are two camps when interpreting Lewis Carroll's books. There's the interpretation that it’s whimsical, very nonsensical, and magical. I suspect you subscribe to that interpretation because of the work you do. However, on the other side of it, people really look at Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as dark and twisted. The terror of being out of control in your body, growing and shrinking, and things like that. Were you able to see both sides of it reading the text? Did you have a really strong first impression of where Lewis Carroll was coming from?

AJ
My impression has always been that he's coming from the whimsical, nonsensical side. The good side, the magical side of everything. He was very interested in imagination and he was very spiritual and connected to God. This love of life permeates his best works. Joy and love are positive emotions that connect us to the good that's in the universe. The good that lies at the heart of all of us.

FB
I agree with you. The first word you used was imagination and that's what struck me about the text. As an adult, writing for adults and for kids, I always thought it was about keeping that childhood wonder and imagination going and how we lose it as an adult. In a lot of ways, Lewis Carroll was a very rigid man who taught mathematics, yet he was flipping to the other side with his writing. One part of your wellness program is about getting back to that youthful, imaginative joy that you always lived as a kid.

AJ
Exactly. One of the sayings I like is, “It's never too late to have a happy childhood.”

FB
Excellent. I love that.

AJ
Some people didn't necessarily have the happiest childhood, right? I had a good childhood but I had a rather responsible kind of childhood, too. “You're going to go to school and you're going to learn, and you're going to do this and this and this.” College was never a question. I was going to college. But I always wanted people to play with. My brother is way older than I am so he wasn’t around when I was a kid and there weren't any other kids my age in my neighborhood. So I really had to use my imagination a lot growing up. Creating worlds of wonder for myself. As we get older, for some reason, society tells us not to be playful, or we get this idea that can't be playful and do good work, which is absolutely not the case. I had to relearn that.

FB
Kudos to your parents because education is really important. You went to Harvard, which is exceptional as well. Tell me what your household was like in terms of the educational part of it versus the playful part of it. You said that when you were on your own, you were imaginative. Was there a crossover, or did you carve that out yourself and your parents were by the book?

AJ
My parents were both teachers. My mother was a special education teacher, and my father was an attendance teacher, which is like a truant officer, but you work for the Board of Education. So they were both really responsible and interested in learning. My mother comes from a family of teachers. Her mother was a teacher and her sisters were also teachers or librarians. It's a very educated family. I was always expected to go to school and do well, and it wasn't hard for me to do that. I liked learning. I loved reading. As a kid, I was in the library all the time, pulling out whatever interested me. I remember reading The Chronicles of Narnia series when I was a child. 

A photograph of wellness educator and opera singer Dr. April James holding a microphone and wearing a gold top hat.

Harvard was actually the first time I started to believe in myself and my ability to do anything. I'm a singer by inclination more than training. I've always loved music. I had these two tracks going in my life. There was the liberal arts education track, but I loved music, and I wanted to study music. However, I was discouraged from doing music as a major during my first bachelor's degree at Queen's College. I understood that, so I studied communications, and I went into TV and publishing. I hated it. I didn't like the field. After a couple of years of job to job to job, I was laid off right before Thanksgiving, and I said, “You know what? I'm going to go and study what I wanted to study before. I'm going to go back to Queens College and study music, and we'll see how it works out. That’s how I ended up at Harvard.” 

FB
Good for you.

Do you think that was a smart thing for your mom to say to you, versus saying, “Follow your passion”? I find that to be really difficult. I have two teenage kids, one who just went off to college and knows what he wants to do. He doesn't want to be in entertainment, he wants to be more in business. But my daughter, she's going all over the place. 

My father was a real entrepreneur, a risk taker, and he was like, “Yes, go do it.” I started off on the ski team and it seemed like a ridiculous idea that I would ever make money or that I would be good at it. And I would have to not go to college, where I was going to go to college part-time, and my mom said, “Absolutely not.” My dad, however, said, “Absolutely do it.” I wonder how you feel about your mom’s advice and, if you were giving that advice to yourself, what would you say?

AJ
It’s taken me a long time to get over my mother's advice. I realize that she was right in a way and she was wrong in a way. My father, even though he was an attendance teacher when I was growing up, was laid off from the city in the 70s. He was also an entrepreneur and he started his own driving school after a time. So I have both this toeing-the-line thing and the entrepreneurial thing going. Now, I understand and I actually appreciate my mother's take on the arts career-wise. I wish she'd been a little more nuanced in what she had said. 

After I got out of Harvard, I tried to have an arts career. My research was on women composers and operas composed by women. I started my own opera company and it was so difficult. Even if my mother had been in perfect health and we'd had perfect stuff going on in the family situation, it still would’ve been so difficult. I just said, “You know, what? I don't want to be a full-time artist.” I got to that point. 

But I understand what my mother was saying. What she was saying was it's very difficult to make it in the arts. You can, but it's not as clear a path as getting a nine-to-five job somewhere or getting a teaching degree and then teaching. I understand where she was coming from.

FB
It’s not just talent. Talent can only get you so far. If you’re an actor, you have to be so driven that what you're saying to yourself is, “I don't care if I do community theater, I am going to act. I am not thinking about being a movie star. I just need to be on the stage. It's how I live and breathe.” If you don't look at it that way, then you're not going to make it. You're doing it because you can't do anything else.

AJ
That's exactly it. I love singing. I sing all the time. I wake up in the morning, and I'm singing. During the day, I'm singing. I'm singing Bach. I'm singing Handel. I’m singing Mozart. All this gorgeous music that I love. I don't have to be out in front of people to do it. I came to that realization. I do need to be with other people. There's a pianist I'm working with now. I sing in choirs. I've done some recordings, but I don't have to be in an operatic role on stage.

FB
You found your way in terms of combining a lot of different interests. You have your website and your wellness program, the ALICE Way, which is how I originally found you. I love the way you describe helping adults rediscover their natural joy and playfulness so they can better navigate life's ups and downs. Alice in Wonderland is so deeply rooted in culture and brings lots of joy and amusement to people, and you've attached these five steps. Could you tell us the five steps, how you came to them, and why it's been effective for people?

AJ
Alice is not just the name of the heroine of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. For me, she also gives her name to the acronym for the five steps. They’re equations. “A” equals “Awe plus Authenticity.” “L” is “Love plus Levity.” “I” is “Inspiration plus Impossibility.” “C” is “Courage plus Clarity.” “E” is “Exercise plus Expressivity.”

FB
Beautiful. There's a double meaning for everything. Then you sign up for your program and you work your way through the acronym. People want awe in their life and they want to be authentic. To be authentic, you have to know yourself. And to know yourself is one of the themes of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Do you tie the story and Alice as the protagonist into the exercises?

AJ
That's exactly what I do. I have an online video course and I also do this in person. I'll talk about the video course as that's most accessible to people. I divide it up into chapters plus an intro and a conclusion. In the chapter on “A” for “Awe and Authenticity,” for example, I do a video where I introduce the topic by reading something from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland that relates to awe. Then I tell a story from my life that connects to the same concept of awe. Then there's an exercise, a separate video, on how you can experience awe in your life. Most of the videos are under 10 minutes. I also have a 42-page playbook to accompany the course so people can do written exercises along with each chapter of the ALICE Way.

FB
Is there any crossover between the text that you're referencing and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland? Was there anything in his movie that you carried over for your program because you liked it? Or do you stick with the original, Lewis Carroll text?

AJ
I keep with the original. The original is the reason why the Tim Burton film is so effective. So let's reference the original work. I really want to encourage people to engage with Lewis Carroll and engage with his work. The ALICE Way is not just about me. I want adults to rediscover joy and I want to have other people to play with. But it's also about appreciating this man who was just such an incredibly loving soul and left us such engaging, enriching, and magical works that can still affect us. 

FB
That are still important 150-plus years later.

AJ
It’s amazing. How many times in a week do you hear the phrase “down the rabbit hole”?

FB
I bet you have heard it a lot more since you saw the movie. Before, you probably didn't even know it was connected to Alice in Wonderland. 

AJ
Exactly. I don't think I ever knew it was connected. 

FB
You use the word joy. Joy is having a moment in society and culture right now. Why do you think that is?

AJ
Joy is one of the most underrated emotional states.

FB
It's true. It's one of those things you forget as an adult. Speaking for myself, I'm usually waiting for some something really outstanding to happen, like having this interview, which will create great joy for me. As opposed to finding joy in the little things when you're just going about your day, like a really amazing cup of coffee. I think we should be enhancing joy in life. There's imagination and there's wonder and there's awe, and a lot of the things you talked about, but living with joy is a nice state if you can get to it.

AJ
Sometimes people think it's unapproachable or unattainable, but it's not it. I maintain that joy is our natural state. That's something Charles Dodgson understood. His cultivation of these child friendships and his love of telling stories grows out of a recognition that children come in joyful. We come in joyful. Dodgson was the eldest male child in a family of 11, so he got to experience that with his brothers and sisters. He was like the family entertainer. He would make up things for his siblings. I think that's where his love of the theater came from. He was able to access imagination and joy and saw other people who could also do that regularly.

There's something divine about joy and I think Charles Dodgson understood that joy and love come from the Divine Well. That's where we come from. That's the source we go back to. So let's keep that in our lives because that is the actual fuel for our lives. Good energy is the real fuel that keeps us healthy and that's why we need to cultivate these good emotions, speak good words, take in good thoughts, and do good deeds. That's what keeps us healthy as individuals and as a society.

FB
You certainly seem to be living the ALICE Way. At the same time as Alice and Lewis Carroll, there's a secondary character that has somehow found her way into you, is that correct?

AJ
Madison Hatta, Sonneteer.

FB
Can you tell us a little bit about her and her birth? 

AJ
This is what I mentioned earlier, the voice that came to me during the Tim Burton film. It was about a year later and I was obsessed with finding images from the film to use as wallpaper on my Mac. I came across one that had a picture of the Hatter and a poem on the side, which was written in a Hatter-ish voice. So I'm looking at it and then that British-accented voice piped up inside my head again and said, “I could do better. It's not even a proper form. It needs to be a sonnet.” I hadn't written one of those since I had a Creative Writing class at Queens College years previous. But I had been working with angelic energies a couple of years previous to that so I recognized this as a directive from a spirit. 

So I got out pieces of paper and a pen and I started writing. Then I started laughing because 15 minutes later, we had: 

"If I were not mad, what on Earth would I be? 

It is an unlikely prospect I'm sure you'll agree. 

Those voices that whisper when no one is near

Their meaning is all too entirely clear. 

I love out-of-turn. 

I sing in the rain. 

To me, this is custom, 

To others, insane. 

My past is a mystery shrouded in dreams concealed by blue starlight and moonlit by streams. My present meanders up on common roads. 

And as for my future, who knows what it holds? 

My friends, they're a mixture of whimsy and wise who come round the bend to drink tea in disguise. 

In a world where one plus one equals three, 

If I were not mad, who would I be?" 

Came right out of my pen. That's how I wrote it. Then the name Madison Hatta, Sonneteer came right out of the pen afterwards. 

FB
That was really brilliant. I can see the connection with Lewis Carroll and how strong it is in terms of the brilliance of that poem and how relatable it is to his work and to your own creativity. Thank you so much for sharing that. Have you published that somewhere or where would somebody find that?

AJ
That is in a little chapbook called Madison Hatta’s Book of Unreasonable Rhymes. That was published by Moonstone Press in Philadelphia back in 2015. They may still have some copies available. The ALICE Way is a course but I also plan to have it as my second book. I published my opening essay from that book, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” on the Gulf Coast Writers Association website. It won third place in the Non-Fiction category of their 2024 Writing Contest. 

FB
Amazing. How cool. 

Your first book was The Tenth Muse. Tell us about your first writing experience and what the book is about.

AJ
The Tenth Muse: How Maria Antonia Advanced the Pastoral Opera. A pastoral opera is shepherds and shepherdesses in love. That's the simplest explanation of it. 

Maria Antonio was a noblewoman who lived in the middle of the 18th century. She was well known at the time because she was a composer, poet, and singer, as well as a patron of the arts who wanted to turn the German Electorate of Saxony into the fine arts capital of Europe. She composed two operas. She wrote the music and the lyrics, and she sang as the lead. This is extraordinary for anyone of any time to do, but particularly at that time and for her to be a Princess. People wrote poems to celebrate her life. They named their kids after her. In fact, one of the people named after her was the Queen of France, who everyone has probably heard of, her cousin, Marie Antoinette.

FB
Wow, that sounds like it could make a good movie. She seems like such a fascinating character and so ahead of her time. 

Is there anything else you would like to talk about regarding your ALICE Way program? I really hope people will check it out. It's been so much fun talking to you about Alice in Wonderland. I really appreciate your taking the Mad Hatter and turning him into Madison Hatta. I named my reimagining of the Mad Hatter, Hatter Madigan. We both need that “mad” somewhere in the name. Yours was divine. She came to you. I think mine came up from below.

AJ
I call Madison the guardian angel of my sense of humor. She came at a time when I was starting to lose my sense of humor. I think we all need that reminder.

FB
Thank you for offering this wellness program and for the incredible amount of optimism you shared. Most importantly, I'd like to end on the joy that you communicated and the joy it's been having you on the show. We wish you the best of luck and thank you for taking the time to chat with us. 

AJ
Thank you for having me on your show, Frank. It's been wonderful chatting with you.

For the latest updates & news about All Things Alice,  please read our blog and subscribe to our podcast!

Five Maddest Mad Hatter Moments

Of all the articles I have written for Frank, I have always had the most fun writing about the Mad Hatter and his many different versions. From the original Hatter to the Disney cartoon to Frank’s badass Hatter Madigan, the adaptations of Hatter always seem to be a crowd favorite. So much in fact that October 6 is actually National Mad Hatter Day. Mad Hatter Day is a bit of a free-for-all for those who like to be silly. It’s quite easy to celebrate, you can wear a silly hat, watch a silly movie, throw a tea party, eat some mercury, or just be authentically silly. When I was let out of Franks's basement to write this blog, I was told it should be “…pretty light and leave a lot of room for comedy.” Which I have interpreted as “Be as weird as you want Jared.” To which I say, “Your funeral.” So, I have gathered a collection of my top five Maddest Mad Hatter Moments for you to enjoy.

5.  Tea down the neck, through the shirt, and out the sleeve - Disney’s Alice in Wonderland.

Starting off this list is arguably the most recognizable version of the Mad Hatter. Voiced by Ed Wynn, the 1951 Disney Mad Hatter was probably most people's first introduction to the wild character. While he has many funny and whimsical moments in the movie, I chose this slick maneuver as the first “maddest” moment. You really would have to be suffering from mercury poisoning to pour tea down the collar of your shirt and out your sleeve and not be screaming from the beverage singeing your skin. I know it’s a cartoon, but it’s still mad.

4.  Martin Short’s Mad Hatter Haunting My Dreams - Alice in Wonderland TV Movie

I had to see it and now so do you! Martin Short is awesome, the comedian is beloved by many. But he has a dark secret. You see when he isn’t solving crimes with Selena Gomez and Steve Martin, Martin Short is busy haunting my dreams. Specifically, his performance as the Mad Hatter in the 1980s nightmare fuel Alice in Wonderland TV movie. First is his laugh, a high pitch truly crazy laugh that sends a chill down my spine. On top of that is the fact that his head is MASSIVE. I know this was an attempt to make him look more like the cartoon but instead, it made him look like a terrifying Steve Madden shoes ad. I have included the full tea party scene so you can have nightmares as well.

3.  The Mad Hatter’s Pin Cushion - Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Some would argue that Tim Burton’s adaptation of the Mad Hatter made the manic milliner even more famous than before. A part of this, of course, can be attributed to the fantastic performance of Johnny Depp, who brought his signature flare into the role. This specific performance is arguably the most cosplayed version of the Mad Hatter due to the costume, hair, and makeup being exceptionally striking. Also probably because Depp is a sex symbol and if you're going to cosplay, might as well be cosplaying that. Don’t believe me? Well, the video I found was titled “Tarrant Hightopp being sexy af for 5 1/2 minutes straight” Don’t get me wrong, Johnny Depp is a good-looking guy but…I mean…to each their own I guess. I need a shower.

Depp’s Hatter has many great moments but the maddest moment of all is when he is fighting the Knave of Hearts. During the sword fight, the Mad Hatter uses a pin from his pincushion to poke the eye of the Knave gaining the upper hand in the fight. This is truly mad because I never expected to see something so violent from the Hatter. But hey, all is fair in love and war.

2.  Human Chess - Batman: The Animated Series, “As Mad as a Hatter”

The Mad Hatter isn’t just limited to the collection of Alice movies. He was also a less popular Batman villain who made his first appearance in the 1950s comics. The version of the Mad Hatter portrayed in the comics and cartoons has nothing to do with Alice and I’ll prove it to you. First, his hats are mind-control devices. Second, he’s in love with a woman named Alice. Finally, in one of the comics, he had a monkey called Carroll Lewis. Completely different. In Batman: The Animated Series, there is a scene where the Mad Hatter has placed mind control devices on people and Batman has to figure out how to fight through them while on a giant chess board. The queen on the chessboard even says, “Off with his head.”

1.  Mad Hatter Bot - Futurama, Insane in the Mainframe

This is only a quick moment but as a massive Futurama fan, I had to mention it. In this episode, an error happens in Fry’s sentencing for a crime and he is sentenced to the Hal Institute for Criminally Insane Robots. While in a group session, the Mad Hatter Bot, whose hat tag reads 5/3 instead of 10/6 (probably because a robot would do the math on the fraction) periodically makes the other robots change places, causing the therapy robot to end up as a patient, thus receiving “treatment” in the form of a hammer. Is this one of his maddest moments? Well, he is in an insane asylum.

I have more moments and decided in the spirit of Mad Hatter Day, traditional listicle numbering be damned.

@thealmanac77

SNL Sketch The Mad Tea Party (1998) #snl #universalplus #universalplusafrica #universalpluslatinoamerica #90s #90skids #snlseason23 #malaysiatiktok #philippinestiktok #tiktokindia #tiktkokphilippines #tiktokaustralia #fyp #fypviral #tiktokbrasil #thealmanac77 #snlsketch #saturdaynightlive #stevebuscemi #chriskattan #stevebuscemi #johnhurt #mollyshannon

♬ original sound - thealmanac77 - thealmanac77

0.  The Mad Hatter is Mad - Saturday Night Live

This time, the Hatter is portrayed by Steve Buscemi, who, side note, would make an amazing Mad Hatter outside of a skit. In the sketch, Alice, the March Hare, the Dormouse, and the Mad Hatter have a mad-off to show Alice who is the most “mad.” It starts off quite whimsical but when it gets to the Mad Hatter, he seems to actually be insane, claiming to wash his hands over one hundred times a day to wash off the smell of his mother, making toy cars out of his poo, and eventually flipping the table and being placed in a straight jacket. He was both the winner and the loser of the contest.

Illustration of Hatter Madigan on an 18th-century London street at night by artist Tae Young Choi, from the cover of the graphic novel "Hatter M: Mad With Wonder".

-1. Special Guest Bonus Moment

*AIRHORNS* That’s right, before wrapping up this list, I wanted to bring in the author of The Looking Glass Wars. You know his name because it’s humbly the name of this website. He’s the man who kindly allows me to see the light of day once a month. My boss, Frank Beddor. 

So, Frank, I have purposely left out any moments of your version of the Mad Hatter, Hatter Madigan because I wanted to hear what was your favorite mad moment that you came up with. I didn’t leave it out to make you mad. I definitely don’t want that. The Disappointment Box is so small and dark. But yes, what is your favorite Hatter Madigan moment?

SPACE FOR FRANK’S ANSWER

*Response to Franks's answer has been pre-written and will not be edited as the author of the blog kept calling it “censorship”: 

Hahaha, I couldn’t agree more. Or if the answer requires it, Hahaha, I disagree completely.

Well, there you have it, my list of the Mad Hatter's Maddest Moments. Before I reach the finish and am forced back into Franks's basement until another blog is needed, I wanted to mention one more quick, “mad” Mad Hatter moment I thought needed to be mentioned.

-2. Frank Beddor vs. Tim Burton: The Trial of the Century

I guess it's not so much a moment but a snippet from a trailer. In the trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, we see the Mad Hatter throwing his hat. This is early similar to Frank Beddor’s very own Hatter Madigan, who famously uses his hat as a weapon. While it is legally distinct, the Hatter throwing his hat was first conceptualized by Frank Beddor. What, or should I say, who, is so mad about this? Well, Frank Beddor of course. IP theft is no joke and as Frank Beddor’s official lawyer-

(The rest of this sentence has been deleted. It must be stated that Jared Hoffman is not, has not, and never will be, the legal council of Frank Beddor or those associated with Frank Beddor. Frank Beddor loves Tim Burton’s adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” and does not believe there has been any theft of IP. Additionally, there is no Disappointment Box and Jared Hoffman can leave the basement any time he likes, he just chooses to stay there.)

Jared Hoffman Headshot

Jared Hoffman graduated from the American Film Institute with a degree in screenwriting. A Los Angeles native, his brand of comedy is satire stemming from the many different personalities and egos he has encountered throughout his life. As a lover of all things comedy, Jared is always working out new material and trying to make those around him laugh. His therapist claims this is a coping mechanism, but what does she know?

The 5 Best Alice in Wonderland Themed Airbnbs!

While I’m generally skeptical of the benefits of apps, I used to like Airbnb a lot. The original concept of renting out either a room or house through an app was actually quite useful for an eighteen-year-old who could not afford a hotel room and, in some cases, was not able to check in due to my age. Of course, every app eventually becomes terrible, but instead of Airbnb becoming terrible due to corporate greed like Uber, it was the hosts that got greedy. They started demanding insane prices, often exceeding hotels in similar areas and adding “cleaning fees” that would sometimes double or triple the cost of your rooms. Just like that, I started using hotels again, and I will say hotels are better in almost every conceivable way. Daily housekeeping and better amenities, and statistically, you are less likely to be recorded by a hidden camera in your room. But, there is one thing that Airbnb has over hotels. I'm talking, of course, about curated, themed stays.

Some hotels might offer curated rooms, but generally, when I imagine a “themed” hotel room, I imagine a motel room with a heart-shaped bath in the middle of the room, which, of course, is completely carpeted. It’s a very 80’s, terrible, mold-filled disaster. Then there’s the Clown House from The Good Place. Both are the stuff of nightmares, and I would assume the food is terrible. Themed Airbnb’s are completely different. Usually, the Airbnb host is a fan of the theme and puts a lot of effort into creating a special space. On top of this, popular themes for Airbnbs are incredibly competitive. If the theming is weak, another better-themed Airbnb will take your customers. Interestingly, the attention to detail of the theming does not mean less competition because if there are only two options for a specific theme, unless the price difference is massive, the prospective renters will choose the better one.

This brings us to today's topic: Alice in Wonderland-themed Airbnbs. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is in no way a niche interest, which means the competition is fierce. There are some fantastic options out there all over the world. I’m bringing you five Alice-themed Airbnbs that I think are the creme de la creme. I honestly never thought I would use the one year I studied beer hospitality in college for one of these blogs, but here we are.

A living room with a red couch, flower-themed rug, purple armchair, and black-and-white striped wallpaper from the Alice's Palace Airbnb in St. Augustine, Florida.
A kitchen and dining room with black-and-white wallpaper, white table, and black cabinets from the Alice's Palace Airbnb in St. Augustine, Florida.

1. Alice’s Palace, Alice in Wonderland - St Augustine, Florida

Kicking off this list is Alice’s Palace, a beautifully designed condo in St Augustine, Florida. “A sophisticated twist” on the Madhatter’s tea party, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom oasis is eccentric yet subtle in its theming. To explain what I mean by the previously stated oxymoron, if you wanted to stay at an Alice-themed Airbnb and someone you were going with didn’t want that, this place would be a perfect balance. The colors and furniture are fun without screaming, "Alice!" But if one were to look closer, they would find little details all around them. With many different rabbit statuettes, a flamingo sculpture, and checkerboard patterns, those who know Wonderland will feel right at home. My favorite bit is the Dormouse’s door, which leads to a drawing of a keyhole. If I were going to St Augustine, I would definitely want to check this place out.

A living room and kitchen with wood-paneled walls and ceiling, a tree trunk-themed fireplace, and a neon sign reading "We're All Mad Here" from the Mad Hatter Cottage Airbnb in Mineral Bluff, Georgia.

2.  Mad Hatter Cottage - Mineral Bluff, Georgia

If the first one was subtle, the Mad Hatter Cottage is loud. With cloud lights, a tree-shaped fireplace, a plant-covered wall, mushrooms everywhere, a giant chessboard, and a neon sign that reads, “We’re All Mad Here,” it’s pretty obvious where the inspiration for this cabin comes from. This one was my girlfriend's favorite because it’s a grown-up twist on Alice. And I mean grown up. On the listing, the host makes a point to say, “Our home is NOT suitable for children. The terrain can be dangerous and there are adult motifs present throughout the home.” While I understand the difficult terrain to an extent, I haven’t seen any blatantly adult motifs that I wouldn’t be comfortable with a child seeing. But I don’t have a child or live in Georgia, so my sensibilities might be different. That being said, if you have a slightly older Alice fan in your life that you want to take on a vacation, they will not forget it; this is the one. Plus, it’s in the middle of a forest on a river. Honestly, the space is beautiful.

A playroom featuring an air hockey table, a large pink and white playhouse, and a blue and green landscape mural painted on the wall from the Alice in Wonderland Airbnb in Ozark, Missouri.
A screening room with black leather chairs, a nighttime forest-themed mural, and a projection screen from the Alice in Wonderland Airbnb in Ozark, Missouri.
A bedroom with red wallpaper and curtains, card suit-themed decorations, and a blue and white diamond rug and comforter from the Alice in Wonderland Airbnb in Ozark, Missouri.

3. Alice in Wonderland - Ozark, Missouri

Okay, what if you want loud but have children? Well, Alice in Wonderland in the Ozark Mountains is 100% the spot you need to rent. This nine-guest, three-bedroom, two-bathroom house instantly takes you down a kid-friendly rabbit hole to a wonderland they will never forget. With Alice quotes everywhere you look, a massive game room painted to look like Wonderland, and, to top it all off, a home theater, your Alice-loving kids will truly feel like they are living in Wonderland. Each room has a different Alice theme, ranging from the Cheshire Cat to the Red Queen. Look, I’m a grown-ish person. I have a beard, pay taxes incorrectly, and my back hurts for no discernible reason, but when someone puts a SLIDE inside their house, I’m sold. If you or a loved one loves Alice or you have kids, stay here.

The front of a small, black house with red trim and Queen of Hearts decorations from the Alice's Queen Cottage Airbnb in Hayesville, North Carolina.
Backyard with a green lawn set against the woods featuring a large black and white chess set from the Alice's Queen Cottage Airbnb in Hayesville, North Carolina.

4.  Alice’s Queen Cottage - Hayesville, North Carolina

This wouldn’t be a proper Airbnb listicle without a tiny home. Nestled in Hayesville, North Carolina, Alice’s Queen Cottage will make you feel like the Red Queen. Intricately designed and painted, everywhere you look, there is a heart, mushroom, flower, or other Alice motif to remind you that while the house is tiny, you are the queen. This Airbnb actually shares a lot with many other Alice-inspired stays, including Alice’s White Bunny Cottage, Mad Hatter RV, Dormouse RV, Cheshire Cat RV, Caterpillar RV, and March Hare RV. (There are also some Harry Potter stays on the campground, but that’s not what you’re here for.) Not only are the stays here fantastic, but the grounds include a Fairy Garden, a Wonderland fire pit, and a hot tub. Go and get lost in the Magical Mountain Resorts Enchanted Forest.

Living room featuring yellow, green, and black-and-white checked wallpaper and a "Have I Gone Mad?" sign above the fireplace from The Wonderland Townhouse in Bath, England.
A dining room featuring a wood dining table, flower-themed wallpaper, and a plant installation hanging over the table from The Wonderland Townhouse in Bath, England.
Bedroom with a red rose-themed rug, red and white striped wallpaper, and heart decorations from The Wonderland Townhouse in Bath, England.

5.  The Wonderland Townhouse - Bath, England

Allow me to paint a picture in your mind. You and your family/friends want to go to the United Kingdom to see Alice's homeland. Maybe there are sixteen or more of you. Unfortunately, there are only so many Alice-themed stays all over the world, and you don’t want to end up in a bad one. Well worry not, for the massive Wonderland Townhouse in Bath and North East Somerset sports eight bedrooms. Its theming is intricate yet tasteful. The British really know what they are doing. It’s posh yet whimsical. Take, for example, the dining room. Strip away the faux garden of silk flowers coming out of the ceiling and the room still works. This house will never fail to remind you that you are in Wonderland.

As you can see, there is an Alice-themed Airbnb stay for every kind of Alice fan. Of course, I only listed five here, but there are many, many more personal wonderlands scattered all across the globe. All one has to do is go down the rabbit hole that is Airbnb. As with all my blogs, please let me know if you liked what you saw and if you have any Alice-themed Airbnbs you want to stay at. Also, if you have stayed at an Alice-themed Airbnb, I would love to hear how it was.

Jared Hoffman Headshot

Jared Hoffman graduated from the American Film Institute with a degree in screenwriting. A Los Angeles native, his brand of comedy is satire stemming from the many different personalities and egos he has encountered throughout his life. As a lover of all things comedy, Jared is always working out new material and trying to make those around him laugh. His therapist claims this is a coping mechanism, but what does she know?

The Four Best Alice in Wonderland Themed Botanical Gardens

If you are like me, you probably only leave your apartment when you have to. I’m not an introvert or severely depressed (just the normal amount of writer depressed). I just like being at my place. My cat and television aren’t outside. Also, if I’m outside, I’m not writing blogs, so Frank does not allow me to go outside. Unfortunately, according to my therapist, not leaving my apartment is “unhealthy,” and I should “stop being a nerd and touch some grass.” So, I decided to look around for things to do outside. Since I live in a city, if I want to touch some grass, I have to work for it.

When I was little, I was almost always outside, so I thought back to when I was a kid, and for some reason, I used to spend a lot of time running around botanical gardens. While I lack a green thumb and suffer from hay fever, I used to enjoy botanical gardens quite a bit. Perhaps it was because they became parks where I could play pretend with friends in different flora than I was used to. Regardless of the case, I remember them being fun. So, I decided to go to one. Of course, as with any outing, I would have to get approval from Frank before I left the blog sweatshop. I prepared a proposal for some time outside and pitched it to my supreme and glorious leader, and to my surprise, he agreed on one condition. I must first write a blog about Alice in Wonderland-themed botanical gardens.

A small pool with lily pads surrounded by greenery featuring an "Alice in Wonderland" statue from the Wonderland: Curious Nature installation at the New York Botanical Garden.

1. Wonderland: Curious Nature - New York Botanical Garden

I was not surprised to find that there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of Alice-inspired botanical garden exhibitions all around the world. But the one that is all over Google at the moment is the Wonderland: Curious Nature event at the New York Botanical Garden. Established in 1891, 26 years after Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published, the New York Botanical Garden, located in Bronx Park, has over one million living plants contained in its sprawling 250-acre footprint and is visited by over one million people annually.

An Alice-themed botanical garden event makes perfect sense. Plants play many important roles in every adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. From the card soldiers painting the roses red to the roaring lion-faced “Dandelions” to the giant mushrooms (I know mushrooms are not plants, but they are a part of nature), the whimsical flora is one of the many things that make Wonderland, Wonderland. The landscapers and florists who were tasked with creating the exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden succeeded in creating a Wonderland that everyone can enjoy.

A large topiary White Rabbit in the middle of a park from the Wonderland: Curious Nature installation at the New York Botanical Garden.

Some highlights of the Wonderland: Curious Nature event include a giant White Rabbit made entirely out of flowers, a sprawling topiary garden (a favorite in the Victorian age) with a whimsical twist, and a Victorian garden modeled after the garden that the real Alice Liddell used to play in. This, of course, is not all; art installations are seamlessly mixed throughout the botanical garden to transform the grounds into a real-life Wonderland.

Topiary card soldiers and pawns with topiary hearts and roses on a grass chessboard from the Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland Returns at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

2. Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland Returns - Atlanta Botanical Gardens

If New York is too far for you, worry not. Due to plants being a constant theme throughout Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Alice’s consistent popularity throughout time, botanical gardens all over the world have thrown and/or most likely will host an Alice-inspired botanical garden experience. Some examples include the Imaginary Worlds: Alice’s Wonderland Returns at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which features many topiaries of our favorite Alice characters, including card soldiers, the Cheshire Cat, and the White Rabbit (which is also a fountain). This event has already happened, but since it was the second time it has taken place, it’s a safe bet that due to its popularity, it will return.

Life-sized statues of Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the March Hare at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party from the Storybook Garden installation at the Hunter Valley Gardens in Sydney, Australia.

3. Storybook Garden - Hunter Valley Gardens, Sydney, Australia

All the way on the other side of the world, at the Hunter Valley Gardens in Sydney, Australia, there is a permanent installation called the Storybook Garden. There are statues of the many whimsical scenes of Wonderland, including an interactive Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Along with this is some giant furniture to simulate being shrunk down by the “Drink Me” potion. This one focuses more on children, but I think any Alice fan on that side of the planet will love this installation.

An LED lighting exhibit featuring the White Rabbit, a tree, flowers, and a multi-colored tunnel from the Garden of Lights - Alice in Wonderland at the Botanical Garden of Bucharest.

4. Garden of Lights - Alice in Wonderland - Botanical Garden of Bucharest

For our European friends, there are many botanical garden experiences. Still, the one that stuck out to me was the Garden of Lights - Alice In Wonderland event at the University of Bucharest’s Botanical Gardens in Romania. This event occurs at night when the garden is transformed by lights. It has the Red Queen’s castle, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and Europe's longest LED tunnel, featuring over 320,000 LED lights. I’m guessing this tunnel would be a fantastic rabbit hole entrance into the Wonderland that was created for guests.

Unfortunately, these events have already happened. But, as I’ve said previously, plants have always been a constant theme in every adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This means that if you can keep an eye out, a botanical garden near you will most likely throw an Alice-themed event in the future. But, if you can’t wait for one to come to you, you can make your way to New York, where the Wonderland: Curious Nature event is happening until October 27th. As a fan of botanical gardens, this one really does seem to be worth the trip.

I hope you all enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. It honestly reminded me of how much I enjoyed botanical gardens as a kid, and I’m actually now planning a date with my girlfriend to visit our local botanical garden. Have you been to an Alice-themed botanical garden event before? If you have I would love to hear about it. Also, which of the past botanical garden Wonderlands that I featured seems like the most fun to you?

Jared Hoffman Headshot

Jared Hoffman graduated from the American Film Institute with a degree in screenwriting. A Los Angeles native, his brand of comedy is satire stemming from the many different personalities and egos he has encountered throughout his life. As a lover of all things comedy, Jared is always working out new material and trying to make those around him laugh. His therapist claims this is a coping mechanism, but what does she know?

Where Are They Now? Johnny Depp and the Cast of Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland"

We figured out how to make pictures move in the late 1800s and not long after, adaptations of one of the most popular stories in world history started popping up. The first film adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ran twelve minutes and was noted for its innovative use of special effects. Since then, there have been over thirty Alice in Wonderland films including the iconic Disney animated movie. In 2006, Disney went into development on an updated Alice adaptation and hired Batman and Sleepy Hollow director Tim Burton, whose gothic sensibilities and singular visual style had delighted both audiences and critics alike.

Released in 2010, Alice in Wonderland is a loose adaptation of Carroll’s tale, following nineteen-year-old Alice Kingsleigh as she rediscovers Wonderland and learns she is destined to dethrone the tyrannical Red Queen. The film was a smash at the box office, raking in over $1 billion worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of the year behind Toy Story 3. Burton’s Alice was lauded for its style, tone, and use of CGI, with Michael Rechtshaffen writing in The Hollywood Reporter, “Burton has delivered a subversively witty, brilliantly cast, whimsically appointed dazzler…” And what about that cast? The star-studded ensemble featured longtime Burton collaborators Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter alongside Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, and Alan Rickman. Their subsequent careers have been filled with franchise blockbusters, critical acclaim, and (interestingly) Les Miserables.

Let’s take a look at what Burton and his stars have been up to since the release of Alice in Wonderland:

Behind-the-scenes image of Tim Burton and Mia Wasikowska on a green screen set during the production of the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Tim Burton - Director
A favorite of film students and Halloween enthusiasts, Tim Burton came into Alice on a twenty-year hot streak. From Beetlejuice to Batman, from Sleepy Hollow to Sweeney Todd, Burton was the go-to guy for offbeat stories infused with humor and horror set against a backdrop of surreal and fantastical visuals. Alice in Wonderland proved to be his greatest commercial success, grossing more than his previous four films combined, and earned Burton a Golden Globe nod for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Since then, the results have been…mixed. Burton found critical success with 2012’s Frankenweenie while Dark Shadows, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, and his 2019 adaptation of Dumbo were moderate financial successes but failed to win over critics. In 2022 he dipped into TV for the first time in thirty-five years with the hit Netflix series Wednesday starring Jenny Ortega, who, incidentally, would be a perfect fit as Princess Alyss. Burton’s next project is the highly anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The sequel to his 1988 cult classic sees him reunited with Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Ortega and is slated to be released in September 2024.

Still image of Johnny Depp as Tarrant Hightopp/Mad Hatter from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Johnny Depp - Tarrant Hightopp/Mad Hatter
Johnny Depp’s career since Alice in Wonderland has been a smorgasbord of hits, tent poles, flops, and some quintessentially Deppian performances. First the good. The alt-core heartthrob followed up his predictably quirky turn as the Mad Hatter with a Golden Globe nomination for his work in the romantic thriller The Tourist and provided the title voice for Rango, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Depp reprised his role as the iconic Jack Sparrow in the latest installments of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and stole the screen as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Crimes of Grindelwald. Critical and commercial flops came in the form of The Lone Ranger and Transcendence (and a few others) but Depp earned rave reviews for his performances as two of the 20th century’s most successful criminals - Boston mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger in Black Mass and Donald Trump in Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie. He has also found time to indulge in his passion for music, releasing two albums with Hollywood Vampires, a rock supergroup featuring Alice Cooper and Joe Perry, and collaborating with guitar legend Jeff Beck. Up next, Depp is at the helm of Modi, a drama about Bohemian artist Amedeo Modigliani, and is set to play Satan opposite Jeff Bridges’ God in Terry Gilliam’s new comedy.

Still image of Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsleigh from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Mia Wasikowska - Alice Kingsleigh
Australian actress Mia Wasikowska was a relative unknown before being cast as Carroll’s heroine at twenty-one years old. She had earned critical acclaim for her performance in the HBO series In Treatment but playing Alice launched her into the stratosphere. Wasikowska won the Hollywood Awards’ Breakthrough Artist Award, the Australian Film Institute International Award for Best Actress, and was included in the 2011 Time 100. Immediately following Alice, Wasikowska starred in the Oscar-nominated dramedy The Kids Are All Right and played opposite Michael Fassbender in Cary Joji Fukunaga’s adaptation of Jane Eyre. Wasikowska has also worked with an impressive list of directors including Gus Van Sant, Park Chan-wook, Jim Jarmusch, David Cronenberg, and Guillermo del Toro. After reprising her role as Alice in the 2016 sequel, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Wasikowska took a step back from the mainstream industry, choosing to focus on more intimate, character-driven projects. She was nominated for an Australian Oscar for her work in the 2019 dark comedy Judy and Punch and starred in the 2021 romantic drama Bergman Island alongside Tim Roth, which premiered at Cannes. Wasikowska’s latest film was the 2023 dark comedy thriller Club Zero, which also premiered at Cannes and was nominated for the Palme d’Or.

Still image of Helena Bonham Carter as Iracebeth/Red Queen from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Helena Bonham Carter - Iracebeth/Red Queen
The endlessly versatile Helena Bonham Carter had a pretty good 2010. She starred in The King’s Speech as Queen Consort Elizabeth, for which she was nominated for an Oscar, won an international Emmy for her work in the BBC Four television film Enid, and played the deliciously evil Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland. After Alice, Bonham Carter finished her work as the unhinged Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter franchise and played the unscrupulous Madame Thenardier in Tom Hooper’s Les Miserables. Her choice of film roles over the past decade and a half has reflected her love for period pieces (Suffragette, Enola Holmes) and quiet dramas (One Life). Bonham Carter has also been nominated for Golden Globes and Emmys for playing Elizabeth Taylor in the TV film Burton & Taylor and Princess Margaret in the Netflix series, The Crown. Her upcoming projects include the 2024 drama Four Letters of Love alongside Pierce Brosnan and an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel The Seven Dials Mystery from Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. Also, in 2011, Bonham Carter narrated Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl for Penguin Audios.

Still image of Anne Hathaway as Mirana/White Queen from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Anne Hathaway - Mirana/White Queen
Anne Hathaway was a movie star before Alice in Wonderland. She’s been a movie star since Alice in Wonderland. In another fourteen years, she’ll probably still be a movie star. After starring in Alice as the multidimensional White Queen, Hathaway continued to conquer Hollywood. In 2012, she starred in another $1 billion movie, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, in which she played the enigmatic Selina Kyle/Catwoman and broke hearts in Les Miserables as the tragic Fantine, a performance which earned her the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Hathaway has also showcased her range playing in comedies The Intern opposite Robert DeNiro and The Hustle alongside Rebel Wilson. She also channeled her own exeperiences (possibly) for the 2018 heist comedy Ocean’s 8. Recently, Hathaway starred in the Apple TV+ miniseries WeCrashed and the Amazon romcom The Idea of You. Her upcoming projects include David Robert Mitchell’s sci-fi film Flowervale, also starring Ewan McGregor, and David Lowery’s epic melodrama Mother Mary. Offscreen, Hathaway has devoted much of her time to activism and charitable causes. She has worked with the World Bank, was appointed a UN Women Goodwill ambassador in 2016, and was one of 300 women who founded the Time’s Up initiative.

Still image of the animated character Nivens McTwisp/White Rabbit from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".
Photograph of actor Michael Sheen in a dark blue checked blazer and solid navy blue button-down shirt.

Michael Sheen - Nivens McTwisp/White Rabbit
Michael Sheen is delightful as the voice of the twitchy, chronophobic White Rabbit. Before being cast in Alice, Sheen was already part of a billion-dollar franchise, playing a telepathic vampire in the Twilight movies. He reprised that role in the final two installments, Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2, in 2011 and 2012. On stage, Sheen has played Hamlet at the Young Vic in London and Mozart’s rival Salieri in a production of Amadeus at the Sydney Opera House. Most of his notable work post-Alice has come in TV. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performances as sex researcher William Masters in the Showtime series Masters of Sex and has received critical acclaim for his work as the angel Aziraphale in Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens. In 2024, Sheen co-created and directed the BBC One three-part series The Way and is currently in production on A Very Royal Scandal, in which he’ll portray Prince Andrew. Like Hathaway, Sheen is also passionate about charitable work and social advocacy, with most of his efforts centered on his native Wales. In 2021, in an interview with The Guardian, Sheen declared that he would give all of his future earnings to charity.

Still image of the animated character of Absolem the Caterpillar from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".
Photograph of actor Alan Rickman wearing a black collared shirt in front of a white background.

Alan Rickman - Absolem the Caterpillar
The beloved Alan Rickman sadly passed away in 2016, but he left a glittering legacy as a tremendous actor and warm and generous coworker and friend. His iconic voice lends gravitas and humor to the character of Absolem the Caterpillar. After his work on Alice, Rickman wrapped up his decade-long portrayal of sinister Potions Master Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise and directed, co-wrote, and starred in the period drama A Little Chaos. On stage, he starred in productions of the Henrik Ibsen play John Gabriel Borkman in Dublin and Brooklyn and was nominated for a Drama League Award for his work on Broadway in Theresa Rebeck’s Seminar. In addition to his work as an actor, Rickman was also an ardent humanitarian. He was a patron of the Saving Faces charity and was honorary president of the International Performer’s Aid Trust. His last recorded work was a video in support of an Oxford University campaign to raise money and awareness for Save the Children and Refugee Council. Rickman’s final two films, Eye in the Sky and Alice Through the Looking Glass, were devoted to his memory.

Still image of the animated character Cheshire the cat from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".
Photograph of actor and comedian Stephen Fry wearing a light blue suit jacket, maroon vest, dark red checked shirt, and a yellow tie with white dots.

Stephen Fry - Cheshire
Comedian, author, and actor Stephen Fry was a perfect fit for the Cheshire Cat with his professorial bearing and imperious voice. Fry has kept extremely busy since Alice, starting with his turn as the villainous Master of Lake-town in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films. He has also starred in the Amazon romcom Red, White, and Royal Blue and played opposite Lena Dunham in the 2024 tragicomedy Treasure. On TV, he has appeared in Heartstopper, The Dropout, The Sandman, and The Morning Show, in addition to hosting the acclaimed British panel show QI, which he left in 2016. He has produced and presented documentaries about mental health and Dutch resistance to the Nazis for the BBC and Channel Four. Fry has also churned out five books in the last fourteen years, including a memoir and a three-part retelling of Greek myths. Fry’s charity work and advocacy has focused on nature and wildlife conservation and climate change.

Still image of Crispin Glover as Ilosovic Stayne/Knave of Hearts from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Crispin Glover - Ilosovic Stayne/Knave of Hearts
Alice in Wonderland was one of four films in which the singular Crispin Glover appeared in 2010. In another example of perfect casting by Burton, Glover is excellent as the Red Queen’s right hand, the shifty Knave of Hearts. After a busy 2010, Glover continued his eclectic work in film and television. He played opposite John Cusack and Robert DeNiro in the neo-noir crime thriller The Bag Man and appeared in the 2018 mystery thriller We Have Always Lived in the Castle starring Alexandra Daddario and Sebastian Stan. On TV, Glover starred in the History Channel miniseries Texas Rising and played Mr. World in the Starz fantasy series American Gods. Glover currently has two films in post-production, the mystery Mr. K and the thriller A Blind Bargain.

Still image of the animated characters Tweedledee and Tweedledum, based on actor and comedian Matt Lucas, from the 2010 fantasy adventure film "Alice in Wonderland".

Matt Lucas - Tweedledee/Tweedledum
Tweedledee and Tweedledum are arguably the creepiest characters in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and they’re perfectly portrayed by British comedian Matt Lucas. The Little Britain co-creator has grown in prominence on both sides of the pond since appearing in Alice. Lucas stole scenes alongside Rebel Wilson as one of Kristen Wiig’s cringey roommates in Bridesmaids and received BAFTA TV and British Comedy Awards nominations for the BBC One comedy Come Fly With Me. In recent years, Lucas has appeared in two iconic British shows, Doctor Who and The Great British Bake Off, the latter of which he co-hosted with Noel Fielding until 2023. On stage, Lucas has played Thenardier in Les Miserables in the West End on three separate occasions and in a 25th-anniversary concert at The O2 Arena in London. His upcoming projects include an unspecified role in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 and the animated musical Fairy Tale Forest alongside Mel Brooks and Whoopi Goldberg.

An itinerant storyteller, John Drain attended the University of Edinburgh before studying film at DePaul University in Chicago and later earned an MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute Conservatory. John focuses on writing mysteries and thrillers featuring characters who are thrown into the deep end of the pool and struggle to just keep their heads above water. His work has been recognized by the Academy Nicholls Fellowship, the Austin Film Festival, ScreenCraft, Cinestory, and the Montreal Independent Film Festival. In a previous life, John created and produced theme park attractions across the globe for a wide variety of audiences. John keeps busy in his spare time with three Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and a seemingly never-ending stack of medieval history books.

10 Best "Alice in Wonderland" References in "The Simpsons"

It’s been said often, and a lot on this site, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderlandis a titan of pop culture. It has left an indelible mark on our language, art, music, and more. So it’s no surprise that Alice and the denizens of Wonderland have been frequently referenced in another piece of pop culture royalty, The Simpsons. For thirty-five (no, that’s not a typo) seasons, Springfield’s first family has been a cornerstone of comedy. The show often features heart-warming explorations of family conflict and brilliant character work, providing the foundation for a rapid-fire succession of pinpoint pop culture references, gentle satire of American life, and delightful silliness. The writers also seem to have some form of clairvoyance, with the show becoming well-known for foreshadowing a variety of future events, including video chat, the Fox-Disney sale, and a certain angry orange-tinted man becoming president.

Much like Alice, The Simpsons isn’t just part of culture, it is culture. It was a phenomenon upon its release. It redefined what was previously thought possible to achieve in its format. The show gave birth to numerous spin-offs including comic books, video games, theme park rides, and a Golden Globe-nominated film. Its influence is felt in language, internet culture, and how we think about the world. The Simpsons and one of the Alice adaptations even share a composer. Legendary composer Danny Elfman created the iconic Simpsons theme song as well as the score for Tim Burton’s two Alice in Wonderland films. Three stars of the Burton Wonderverse have also visited Springfield - Sacha Baron Cohen, Stephen Fry, and Anne Hathaway, who apparently had such a great time she guest-starred in three episodes.

These two masterpieces of Western art have also shared the stage directly. The Simpsons’ penchant for copious pop culture references and Alice’s societal ubiquity has resulted in a litany of allusions to Wonderland. Here are ten of our favorites:

10. Lisa Down the Rabbit Hole

A classic Alice in Wonderland reference comes in at number ten. The Simpsons’ Treehouse of Horrorepisodes are almost as iconic as the show itself. For “Treehouse of Horror XXIV”, part of season twenty-five, Guillermo del Toro took the helm of the opening. Del Toro packs an almost overwhelming amount of horror and sci-fi references in his three-minute segment including Alfred Hitchcock, The Shining, and Mr. Burns as the Pale Man from Del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth.

The opening follows the Simpson brood as they fight and flee a never-ending wave of horror and sci-fi monsters until they reach the safety of their trusty couch. Or so it seems. Suddenly, Lisa falls through a hole in the couch. Clad in a blue and white dress, she falls past tea sets, a clock, and playing cards before landing on a mushroom. Alice falling down the rabbit hole is a common reference and it is the last thing the audience suspects when the Simpson family sits on the couch. Its use does seemingly emphasize darker interpretations of Alice in Wonderland, aligning Lewis Carroll’s novel with iconic horror franchises. It’s also important to note that Lisa shares a lot of similarities with Alice, a young girl trying to find herself in an often topsy-turvy and infuriating world.

9. “We’re Through the Looking Glass Here, People”

Milhouse Mussolini Van Houten, Bart’s hapless sidekick, is one of The Simpsons writers’ favorite punching bags. He’s run over by a train, has the skin polished off his head, gets dropped by his psychiatrist for being too annoying, finds himself on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, and when Bart is asked why he and Milhouse are friends, Bart response is “geographical convenience”. Ouch. However, the writers have given Milhouse some classic lines, like in the wonderfully titled “Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy”.

The children of Springfield get suspicious when their parents suddenly start going to bed early. Bart convenes an emergency meeting in his treehouse and the kids come up with a theory. Milhouse explains how the RAND Corporation, the saucer people, and the reverse vampires have conspired to force their parents to go to bed early in a plot to eliminate dinner. Milhouse finishes his summation with the declaration, “We’re through the looking glass here, people.” The expression is used when someone finds themselves in a bizarre situation and it’s utilized perfectly here. Unfortunately for Milhouse and Co., their grand theory is completely wrong. It turns out the parents of Springfield have collectively rediscovered their mojos after drinking a libidinous toxic concocted by Grampa Simpson.

Still image from "The Simpsons" season 6 episode "Lisa's Wedding" featuring Chief Wiggum in front of a tent with the marquee "Friar Wiggum's Fantastical Beastarium".

8. Lisa Down the Rabbit Hole…Again

Guillermo del Toro wasn’t the first to throw Lisa Simpson down a rabbit hole. That distinction belongs to Simpsons maven and King of the Hill and The Office creator Greg Daniels, writer of the season six classic “Lisa’s Wedding”. The episode opens with the Simpsons at a Renaissance fair where Lisa wanders off after being embarrassed by Homer. She enters Friar Wiggum’s Fantastical Beastarium where she encounters the mythical Esquilax, which is just a rabbit. The rabbit runs off and Lisa follows it, a la Alice and the White Rabbit. The rabbit leads her to a fortune teller where she is told the story of her first love. Alice following the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole signifies a character following their curiosity and being thrust into a strange land. For Lisa, that curiosity leads her to 2010, where, as a college student, she falls in love with the posh and arrogant Hugh Parkfield. They soon get engaged and travel to Springfield for the wedding where Hugh insults her family due to their boorish ways. Lisa realizes how deeply she loves her family and breaks up with Hugh. It’s a journey of self-discovery perfectly suited to an Alice in Wonderland reference.

7. “You May Remember Me From…”

“To Alcohol! The Cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.” There are few things Homer Simpson loves more than a nice, cold Duff (or Fudd). So it’s not surprising when he skips work to tour the Duff Brewery with Barney in “Duffless”. The shocker is that Homer drinks responsibly on the tour. Barney, on the other hand, is on a mission to drain the brewery dry and almost succeeds. He’s so hammered Homer refuses to let him drive and takes the keys himself, another uncharacteristically responsible decision. But after being pulled over by Chief Wiggum, Homer fails a breathalyzer test and is sent to traffic school as part of his D.U.I. punishment. At traffic school, he watches a video presented by Hollywood has-been, future husband of Selma, and noted fish romancer Troy McClure (voiced by the legendary Phil Hartman). In the intro to the video, McClure mentions his other driver-ed credits include “Alice’s Adventures Through the Windshield Glass”. This macabre joke has no deep meaning or connection to anything in the narrative. It’s simply funny. A joke thousands of comedy writers would include in their portfolio but on The Simpsons, it’s a throwaway line. The joke was reworked thirty years later for the title of the season thirty-four episode “Homer’s Adventures Through the Windshield Glass.”

Still image from "The Simpsons" season 6 episode "Lemon of Troy" featuring a group of Shelbyville kids looking into a tree containing Milhouse's eyebrows, glasses, and smile.

6. Milhouse the Cat

Another Milhouse moment comes in at number six. Town pride is at stake in “Lemon of Troy” when a gang of ruffians from Shelbyville steal Springfield’s beloved lemon tree. Why does Springfield care so much about a lemon tree? According to Grampa Simpson, the tree was planted in the ground upon which Jebediah Springfield and Shelbyville Manhattan first settled. Yet after a disagreement about cousin marriage (Springfield was against it, Shelbyville for it), they split and founded their own towns.

The kids track the tree to a Shelbyville impound lot. Bart decides to lead a raid into Shelbyville where they’ll recover the tree or “choke their rivers with our dead!” While prepping, Milhouse finds camouflage gear in his room and imagines a scenario in which Shelbyvillians are chasing him. Because of his camouflage, he’s able to disappear in a clump of bushes. He then taunts the befuddled bullies, who can only see his glasses and smile in the leaves, reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat. It’s a perfectly crafted reference to Alice in Wonderland that directly ties into a deeper level of Milhouse’s psyche. Bart’s sidekick is often powerless and under emotional or physical attack. It makes sense he would fantasize about having power over others, one step ahead of the bullies who so often terrorize him.

And what happened to the tree you may ask? Well, the Springfield expedition force, now including Homer and some of the other dads, steals back their lemon tree using Flanders’ RV as a Trojan Horse to infiltrate the impound lot. Some stories do have a happy ending.

5. Moe Gets a Date

Poor Moe. The pathetic proprietor of Springfield’s favorite dive is constantly rejected by life. But sometimes, The Simpsons’ writers take pity on the pugnacious publican and give him some happiness. “Eeny Teeny Maya Moe” begins with Homer and Maggie going to Moe’s Tavern (he’s trying to be a better father). He and the other barflys are shocked to discover that Moe, their Moe, actually has a date. Moe relates how he met a woman named Maya online. He reluctantly sent her a picture of himself and she thought he was cute, prompting him to exclaim - “O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”

This, of course, is a reference to Lewis Carroll’s poem “Jabberwocky” from Through the Looking-Glass, in which the narrator rejoices at vanquishing the feared Jabberwock. “Frabjous,” “Callooh,” and “Callay” were invented by Carroll and wholly capture the feeling of elation. They’re perfect words to encapsulate Moe’s joy, as he is seldom found attractive. Their use in this episode is actually a reference to a moment in season thirteen when Mr. Burns exclaims “O frabjous day!” after scoring a date with a policewoman, creating Inception-likepop culture references.

Moe’s rapture continues as he falls in love with Maya. However, Moe has one problem, himself. Maya is a little person and Moe can’t stop himself from making tactless jokes about her height. Maya eventually breaks up with Moe, leaving him heartbroken. But all is not lost. Moe and Maya reconnect in season thirty-three and she accepts his proposal. O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

4. Krusty the Ventriloquist

Krusty the Clown is one of show business’ great survivors. The hard-drinking, hard-gambling TV comedian has weathered lawsuits over his hazardous merchandise, a revolt at his children’s camp, and a vengeful former sidekick to maintain his status as the idol of Springfield’s children, especially Bart. But Krusty’s empire is threatened with extinction in “Krusty Gets Kancelled” when a new ventriloquist act, Gabbo, takes Springfield by storm. Krusty tries to fight back with his own ventriloquist act, appearing on his show with a dilapidated dummy and asking it, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” This is a reference to the confounding riddle the Mad Hatter asks Alice during the tea party in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The Simpsons shares Lewis Carroll’s love of the absurd, the surreal, and the silly, so it’s fitting the show’s iconic children’s entertainer would reference a work that redefined how children are entertained.

Krusty’s plan backfires when the dummy falls apart in his lap, horrifying the children in the audience. Krusty is canceled. He sinks into depression but the ever-loyal Bart and Lisa help Krusty resurrect his career. They get Gabbo canceled by recording him insulting his fans and engineer a comeback special featuring Bette Midler, Johnny Carson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Luke Perry (Krusty’s “worthless half-brother”). Krusty is back on top and bigger than ever.

3. Selma's Child

Selma Bouvier, one of Marge’s cantankerous older sisters, is yet another Springfieldian who has been hopelessly unlucky in love. She has been married to Sideshow Bob, Lionel Hutz, Troy McClure, Disco Stu, Grampa Simpson, and Fat Tony’s cousin, Fit-Fat Tony. She has also dated Hans Moleman, Moe Szyslak, and Barney Gumble. She needs some help when it comes to relationships.

In “Selma’s Choice,” Selma has an existential crisis when her aunt Gladys dies and leaves a video will in which Gladys urges Selma and her twin sister Patty not to die alone without a husband and children. Selma becomes obsessed with having a baby. She tries a host of options - video dating, a love potion, artificial insemination, and a mail-order husband. But video dating goes nowhere, the love potion is a fake, Barney is the fertility clinic's top donor, and her mail-order husband turns out to be a cardboard cut-out. Marge takes pity on her depressed sister and suggests she take Bart and Lisa to the Duff Gardens amusement park to give her a sense of being a parent. Selma’s afternoon with the kids goes horribly (Bart gets arrested, Lisa gets drugged by toxic water) and Selma realizes she’s totally not ready for a child. She decides to adopt her late aunt’s Iguana, Jub-Jub and sweetly serenades him with “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” as the episode ends.

Jub-Jub the iguana, named by Conan O’Brien during his tenure as a staff writer, is a reference to the dangerous bird-like creature Lewis Carroll created for “Jabberwocky”. Its voice is “shrill and high” and it is “desperate,” living in “perpetual passion.” It’s unknown if O’Brien was consciously making an Alice reference when he named Jub-Jub. But Selma is desperate and in perpetual passion, evidenced by her scattershot approach to dating. She is often seen as ugly and unlovable. It’s poignant that the being who makes Selma feel loved and seen is named after a creature who exhibits so many of the qualities that made Selma feel alone in the first place.

2. Moe the Babysitter

Curiously, many of the Alice in Wonderland references in this list are associated with frequently depressed, downtrodden characters searching for meaning in their life. Maybe the writers tried to give their distressed creation a little bit of levity. Maybe it’s a commentary on how Alice is an archetype for a journey of self-discovery. Maybe it’s a coincidence. Whatever the reason for this link, it holds true in “Moe Baby Blues,” in which our old friend Moe Szyslak unexpectedly bonds with Maggie after saving her from falling off a bridge.

Moe quickly becomes Maggie’s babysitter. In one scene, Moe puts Maggie to bed and she gives him a copy of Alice in Wonderland to read to her. Moe cracks the book, assuming it’s related to “that Alice in Underpants movie I saw,” and quickly becomes horrified. “White rabbit, chicks poppin’ mushrooms, this is like the Playboy Mansion!” Moe tosses the book and tells Maggie a more suitable children’s tale, The Godfather (and Godfather II), which she loves because she’s a baby of taste. The interpretation of Alice’s journey as twisted and dark is common. Moe’s review of Alice ties into a revisionist reading of Lewis Carroll’s novel which highlights its surreal aspects as evidence of drug use and debauchery. Here, The Simpsons isn’t just referencing Alice, but the theories surrounding the book that are prevalent in modern pop culture.

Moe eventually submarines his relationship with Maggie by being himself, his desperation for human connection leading him to be overbearing and just plain weird. But Moe redeems himself by saving Maggie again, this time from a mob war (long story). His impassioned plea to the belligerent gangsters about how his relationship with Maggie brought meaning to his life brings tears to their eyes, prompting Fat Tony to say “I haven’t cried like this since I paid to see Godfather III.” Same here, Fat Tony, same here.

1. Lisa in the Library

We begin with Lisa, we end with Lisa. Alice’s avatar in The Simpsons undertakes one of her many journeys of self-discovery in “Summer of 4 Ft. 2”. It’s the end of the school year and everyone is excited except for Lisa, who can’t find anyone to sign her yearbook. The Simpsons go on a surprise vacation when Flanders lets them use his beach house while he’s on jury duty. The Simpsons, and Milhouse, head to Little Pwagmattasquarmsettport (probably in New England), “America’s Scrod Basket”, where Lisa resolves to shed her nerdy shell and become “cool”. She makes friends with some cool locals and, to her delight, they accept her.

The Alice reference comes when Lisa meets her new friends. She’s walking to the town library when she spots them skateboarding outside. Torn between going into the library or introducing herself to the skaters, Lisa imagines a host of fictional characters urging her to join them in the library. Alice and the Mad Hatter appear and Alice asks her to join their tea party before suddenly warning her, “It’s a trap!” as the Mad Hatter holds Alice at gunpoint. There may be something deeper at work. A reference to Alice’s fear and confusion at being stuck in Wonderland, perhaps? But mostly, it’s just plain funny. A hallmark of The Simpsons' love forabsurdity and silliness, which perfectly matches the tone of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Lisa’s odyssey runs into rocky shores when Bart, jealous that Lisa is making new friends and he only has Milhouse, cruelly unmasks Lisa as a nerd. She runs off crying but the next day, Lisa discovers that Bart wracked with guilt, showed Lisa’s friends her yearbook, which they signed with heartfelt messages. They also decorated the family car with seashells and wrote “Lisa Rules” on the side. They don’t care about her being a nerd. They love her for it and see her as the great person she is. Lisa feels accepted and gains a new sense of self-confidence. She returns to Springfield filled with happiness, while Homer is filled with rage because seagulls keep attacking his seashell-covered car.

An itinerant storyteller, John Drain attended the University of Edinburgh before studying film at DePaul University in Chicago and later earned an MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute Conservatory. John focuses on writing mysteries and thrillers featuring characters who are thrown into the deep end of the pool and struggle to just keep their heads above water. His work has been recognized by the Academy Nicholls Fellowship, the Austin Film Festival, ScreenCraft, Cinestory, and the Montreal Independent Film Festival. In a previous life, John created and produced theme park attractions across the globe for a wide variety of audiences. John keeps busy in his spare time with three Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and a seemingly never-ending stack of medieval history books.

Mad Hatter and "Batman: The Animated Series": When Wonderland Came To Gotham

Sometimes in the far reaches of space, two stars orbit each other closely and, over time, spiral inward until they collide, creating a magnetic field more than a trillion times stronger than Earth. The subsequent explosion is called a gamma-ray burst, the brightest and most energetic type of event since the Big Bang. The result? It can form a black hole, a body of pure nothingness where not even light can escape. Or the collision can create a brand new neutron star, bigger and heavier than before.

What does this have to do with Alice in Wonderland? Well, in 1948 Lew Sayre Schwartz and comic book pioneer Bill Finger engineered a stellar collision of their own when they turned Lewis Carroll’s Mad Hatter into a villain for Batman #49. The joining of Wonderland and Gotham was like two pop culture stars slamming into each other, producing a massive gamma-ray burst and creating a new, compelling take on an iconic character. Forty-four years after the Mad Hatter first terrorized Gotham, Paul Dini brought him to the screen in Season One of the groundbreaking show, Batman: The Animated Series.

Still image from the episode "Mad as a Hatter" of the animated show "Batman: The Animated Series" featuring Batman confronting Jervis Tetch/the Mad Hatter.

The Mad Hatter of Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS) is more grounded than in Carroll’s books, shaped to fit within the more realistic parameters of the noir-tinted cartoon. Hatter is the evil persona of Jervis Tetch, who is first introduced as a socially awkward but brilliant scientist developing mind-control chips for Wayne Enterprises. Tetch is a devotee of Lewis Carroll’s works and is obsessed with the office executive assistant, Alice, who (obviously) has blonde hair with bangs and wears a blue dress.

Tetch’s first appearance comes in the Season One episode, “Mad as a Hatter '', in which transformation into the villainous Hatter takes place. Tetch is overjoyed when he learns that Alice and her boyfriend, Billy, have broken up and uses his mind control chips in an effort to impress her on a night town. He plays the bigshot, putting chips on servers, photographers, the maitre d’, and anyone who makes him look important to Alice. But he is driven mad with rage and jealousy when Alice reveals that she and Billy made up. Worse, they’re engaged. Tetch uses his mind control technology to make Billy dump Alice (again) and later kidnaps her. Batman becomes suspicious of Tetch when he connects the mind control cards to an illustration of Alice in Wonderland in Tetch’s office showing the Mad Hatter with the same type of card in his hat. Batman confronts Tetch in “Wonderland”, a section of the Gotham Storybook Land amusement park. After a thrilling fight, Batman throws his Batarang at the cords holding up a large Jabberwock statue. The Batarang cuts the cords and the statue falls on Tetch, trapping him. Batman frees Alice and Billy from Tetch’s mind-control devices and Tetch is thrown into Arkham Asylum.

Still image from the episode "Mad as a Hatter" of the animated show "Batman: The Animated Series" featuring Jervis Tetch/the Mad Hatter and Alice.

“Mad as a Hatter” is overflowing with references to Alice. Tetch constantly quotes the books, muttering “curiouser and curiouser” when he finds Alice crying about her break-up and exclaiming “Callooh! Callay! O frabjous day!” after his first “date” with her. As he descends into madness, Tetch dresses his henchmen as Alice characters including the Walrus and the Carpenter, Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar, the White Rabbit, and the Red Queen. Finally, when his defeat is clear, Tetch quotes the “Lobster Quadrille,” lamenting that he “could not join the dance.” For fans of Alice easter eggs, this episode is like being alone at an easter egg roll.

Writers Laren Bright and Michael Reaves continued to mine Carroll’s themes and devices in Hatter’s second appearance, “Perchance to Dream”. It opens with Batman being knocked out and waking up in a “Wonderland,” one where Batman is someone else, he (Bruce Wayne) is engaged to Selina Kyle, and his parents are still alive. Though tempted to remain in this “perfect” world, Bruce can’t shake the idea that something is wrong. He eventually deduces that he is stuck in a dream world. He confronts “Batman” and it turns out that the Caped Crusader is none other than Jervis Tetch, who has (predictably) escaped from Arkham Asylum. Tetch used his mind control technology to create a dream world for Bruce to keep Batman out of his own life. Bruce breaks out of the dream world and defeats Tetch in the real world, leading to Tetch being arrested again and sent to Arkham. The episode is a beautiful exploration of love and loss and shows the potential of using established works to enrich another storytelling world.

Still image from the episode "Perchance to Dream" of the animated show "Batman: The Animated Series" featuring Bruce Wayne and Jervis Tetch/the Mad Hatter.

In “The Worry Men” Hatter escapes from Arkham again (they really need to do something about the security in that place) and travels to South America, where he brainwashes the wealthy Veronica Vreeland into transporting Worry Men dolls back to Gotham and giving them out to her high society friends. The dolls contain Hatter’s brainwashing chips, resulting in Gotham’s wealthy elite funneling $100 million to Tetch/Hatter. But once Batman realizes that he has been hoodwinked into sending Tetch money, he tracks down the mad villain and makes him pay for his crimes.

The Mad Hatter’s final appearance as a main villain in Batman: The Animated Series comes in the Season Two episode “Trial”. He uses his mind control chips to brainwash the Arkham guards (again, that facility really needs a security audit) so that he and other icons of the Gotham rogues gallery can take control of the asylum. They kidnap District Attorney Janet Van Dorn, well known for her anti-Batman beliefs, and later lure the Dark Knight to Arkham where he is arrested. The villains then put Batman on trial for being responsible for their various conditions and evil deeds, calling to mind the Red Queen’s kangaroo court in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Despite her dislike of Batman, Van Dorn defends him and, to everyone’s surprise, gets him acquitted, though Batman is still forced to fight his way out after the Joker and other villains decide to disregard the “verdict”.

Still image from the animated show "Batman: The Animated Series" featuring Jervis Tetch/the Mad Hatter with his hands clasped and a maniacal grin.

The Mad Hatter in Batman: The Animated Series is an excellent example of using existing I.P. to create something fresh and exciting. The writers and producers of BTAS took the iconography and themes from Lewis Carroll’s work and perfectly grafted them onto the world of their show. The Alice references in “Mad as a Hatter” fueled a thoroughly entertaining adventure. Their use of dreams and a “Wonderland” in “Perchance to Dream” is a perfect marriage of Carroll’s themes and the tragedy of Bruce Wayne/Batman’s life. Their grounded construction of Jervis Tetch/the Mad Hatter delves into the birth of madness, imbuing the character with the intensely human emotions of jealousy and obsession, which motivate his transformation into the insane milliner.

An itinerant storyteller, John Drain attended the University of Edinburgh before studying film at DePaul University in Chicago and later earned an MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute Conservatory. John focuses on writing mysteries and thrillers featuring characters who are thrown into the deep end of the pool and struggle to just keep their heads above water. His work has been recognized by the Academy Nicholls Fellowship, the Austin Film Festival, ScreenCraft, Cinestory, and the Montreal Independent Film Festival. In a previous life, John created and produced theme park attractions across the globe for a wide variety of audiences. John keeps busy in his spare time with three Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and a seemingly never-ending stack of medieval history books.

7 Mad Hatter Day Must-Haves

Mad Hatter Day is officially upon us! October 6th is the day dedicated to our most favorite milliner. In a world often bound by conventions and expectations, the Mad Hatter represents the freedom to be authentically and outrageously oneself. People yearn to don his oversized hat and mismatched attire, to dance a frenetic futterwacken, and to engage in absurd conversations that defy logic and reason. His tea parties, marked by their perpetual chaos and whimsy, beckon us to release our inner eccentricities and celebrate the kaleidoscope of our individuality.

Moreover, the Mad Hatter teaches us the value of embracing the present moment, no matter how bewildering or absurd it may seem. He reminds us that life's journey should be a delightful, unpredictable adventure filled with laughter and imagination.

Celebrate Mad Hatter Day by inviting the Hatter's spirit into your life through whimsical purchases that echo his eccentricity. These fun and exciting purchases not only commemorate the day but also remind you to embrace creativity, individuality, and the delightful madness of life. It's a whimsical journey that lets you channel the Hatter's charm, sparking imagination and a touch of Wonderland in your everyday adventures.

1.    MAD AS A HATTER TEE

A black t-shirt with a cartoon character mad hatter from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This is an extra-spooky black and white cartoon version, with a black and white spiral background that is hypnotizing. The text at the bottom reads: "Mad as a Hatter".

Purchasing a spooky Mad as a Hatter Tee for Mad Hatter Day is a brilliant fusion of whimsy and Halloween spirit. This unique tee allows you to blend the eccentricity of the Mad Hatter with the spooky ambiance of October. It's the perfect way to celebrate both occasions, adding a touch of Wonderland madness to your Halloween festivities.

The tee becomes a conversation starter and a statement of individuality, making you stand out in the sea of traditional Halloween costumes. It's a creative and fun way to embrace the whimsical side of life while embracing the spookiness of the season, truly making Mad Hatter Day memorable.

2.    HATTER M. GRAPHIC NOVEL PAPERBACK BUNDLE

A collection of Hatter M graphic novels and books by Frank Beddor, with illustrations on each cover. The 6 books pictured are: "Far From Wonder", "Mad With Wonder", "The Nature of Wonder", "Zen of Wonder", "Love of Wonder", and "Seeking Wonder".

The Hatter M Graphic Novel Bundle, on sale for Hatter day, is an enticing gateway to a mesmerizing world of storytelling and visual artistry. This bundle immerses you in the captivating adventures of Hatter Madigan, expanding the truth behind Lewis Carroll's Wonderland universe in beautifully illustrated detail. By purchasing it, you're not just acquiring a set of graphic novels; you're investing in a journey through the surreal and imaginative realm of The Looking Glass Wars carefully crafted by Frank Beddor.

You'll traverse Wonderland's enchanting landscapes, encounter whimsical characters, and delve into Hatter's complex narrative. It's an opportunity to relish the fusion of literature and art, all while enjoying a fantastic deal. Don't miss out on this chance to own a piece of Wonderland's magic.

3.    HATTER MADIGAN ZEN BOOKMARK

A bookmark with a picture of Hatter Madigan, meditating in a zen-like state. A zen proverb on the bottom reads: "When you seek it, you cannot find it."

If you partake in the wild adventures of Hatter M. you are going to need this handy bookmark. Adorned with the iconic imagery of Hatter Madigan in his zen lotus pose, adds a touch of delightful eccentricity to your reading experience. It serves as a reminder to embrace creativity, imagination, and to relax your mind in your pursuits.

Whether you're immersed in a gripping novel or exploring the depths of a philosophical text, this bookmark is a charming companion that encourages you to pause, reflect, and savor the present moment, just as Hatter Madigan would amidst the chaos of Wonderland. It's not just a bookmark— it's a piece of Wonderland magic in your hands!

4.    DISNEY'S MAD TEA PARTY TABLETOP GAME

A picture of Disney's Mad Tea Party board game with a box and a toy tea set. Featuring iconic imagery of Walt Disney's classic 1951 animated film: Alice in Wonderland.

Purchasing Disney's Mad Tea Party Tabletop Game is like bringing a slice of Wonderland into your home. This board game combines the whimsy of Disney with the charm of Lewis Carroll's creation. It offers a chance to immerse yourself in the fantastical world of the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and Cheshire Cat.

With its intricate design, bright artwork, and gripping fast-paced gameplay, it provides hours of family-friendly entertainment. It encourages strategic thinking, fosters healthy competition, and sparks laughter as players navigate their way through the topsy-turvy. It's a magical journey into the heart of Wonderland, perfect for Disney fans and board game enthusiasts alike.

5.    MAD HATTER FUNKO POP

A toy figurine by Funk Pop of the Mad Hatter from Disney's Alice in Wonderland, wearing a green jacket, pants, shoes and hat. The pop figure is standing outside of its box, holding an overflowing cup of tea.

Purchasing a Mad Hatter Funko Pop to celebrate Mad Hatter Day is a delightful choice for collectors and fans alike. This miniaturized, meticulously detailed figure captures the essence of the iconic character from Lewis Carroll's Wonderland. It serves as a quirky reminder of the spirit of eccentricity, imagination, and unbridled joy, which the Mad Hatter embodies.

Display it proudly, and let it become a conversation starter, inviting others to share in your appreciation for Wonderland's madness. Plus, as a collectible item, it carries a certain charm and value that can grow over time. On a shelf with your collection, adorning a desk, or even treating the tea table – there’s nowhere this Funko wouldn’t be perfect.

6.    MAD HATTER SUGAR BOWL FROM GRACIE BONE CHINA

A colorful ceramic container with a lid, made by Gracie Bone China. This one is covered in a multi-colored floral pattern and inspired by Lewis Carroll's Mad Hatter character from Alice in Wonderland. The perfect way to celebrate Mad Hatter Day, 2023.

What Hatter Day would be complete without tea time? And, what tea party is complete without sugar? This Mad Hatter Sugar Bowl from Gracie Bone China is essential, embodying the spirit of whimsy and tea-time merriment. It's not just a functional item; it's a symbol of camaraderie and eccentricity.

As you gather 'round for your own mad tea party, this sugar bowl becomes a centerpiece, invoking the enchanting chaos of Wonderland. It invites friends and family to join in the revelry, pouring sugar with abandon and stirring creativity with each spoonful. Crafted with exquisite bone china, its elegant and nuanced Mad Hatter design adds a touch of enchantment to teatime. It's not just a sugar bowl; it's a charming piece of functional art that elevates your tea experience.

7.    MAD HATTER HOT SAUCE

A group of bottles of Mad Hatter Hot Sauce surrounding a bowl of chips. These are made by Mad Hatter Foods and feature the hot, sweet and spicy flavors of habanero peppers and pineapple for a deliciously deviant way to celebrate Mad Hatter Day.

Teatime may require some snacks – take a walk on the wild side, leave the tarty tarts behind and go for something a little more spicy! A bottle of Mad Hatter Hot Sauce is like adding a dash of Wonderland's eccentricity to your culinary adventures. This "super-condiment" isn't just any hot sauce; it's a versatile flavor enhancer that transforms every meal into an unusual experience. Its universal appeal means it pairs seamlessly with a vast array of dishes, from steaks to pork, chicken to fish, and even eggs.

The Mad Hatter Hot Sauce isn't just about heat; it's about elevating your taste buds with a unique blend of flavors. Its zesty, tangy, and spicy profile adds depth to your meals, making them truly memorable. By adding Mad Hatter Hot Sauce to your Mad Hatter Day celebration, you're not only embracing the spirit of whimsy but also elevating your culinary creations to an entirely new level. It's a must-have condiment for the mad amongst us!

Hopefully, you found some exciting accessories for your Mad Hatter Day – and if you want more, be sure to check out the Hatter Day Sale on Frankbeddor.com!

Meet the Author:

After cutting her teeth in live sports television production and scripted independent features, Sarah transplanted from her native state of Indiana to LA where she earned her MFA from the American Film Institute Conservatory. She specializes in genre fusion storytelling, with an insatiable devotion to producing high-quality, character-driven sci-fi. She works at Automatic Pictures as Head of Development where she has continued to sharpen her eye for premium content creation.

All Things Alice: Interview with the Creative Team of Mad Hatter The Musical

As an amateur scholar and die-hard enthusiast of everything to do with Alice in Wonderland, I have launched a Podcast that takes on Alice’s everlasting influence on pop culture. As an author that draws on Lewis Carroll’s iconic masterpiece for my Looking Glass Wars universe, I’m well acquainted with the process of dipping into Wonderland for inspiration. The journey has brought me into contact with a fantastic community of artists and creators from all walks of life—and this podcast will be the platform where we come together to answer the fascinating question: “What is it about Alice?”

It is my great pleasure to have Vincent Conner, Michael J. Polo and Victor Valdez join me as my guests! Read on to explore part one of our conversation, and check out the whole series on your favorite podcasting platform to listen to the full interview.

FB:

Gentlemen, welcome to the All Things Alice podcast. However, for today, I'm going to change it to “All Things Hatter” because we're going to be talking about your very exciting musical, Mad Hatter: The Musical. I'm going to ask each of you to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what your role is in the musical. I'll start with you, Vince.

VC:

I am the co-creator of Mad Hatter: The Musical. I am responsible for the book. I wrote the story and have been working, since 2018, on building the show. I was the original director of the piece at the London workshop and now I'm stepping into the role of the Mad Hatter in Montreal.

MP:

I’m the composer of Mad Hatter: The Musical. The thing I'm most proud of creatively is the synergy and the creative input that we all have in our collaboration more than anything.

VV:

I am a songwriter on the show and, as Mike said, once the boys got the show going and knew where the story was going, I inserted myself into the project. Their backgrounds are mostly in classical opera while I come from Latin America. I'm originally from Venezuela where I grew up singing pop ballads and that's what I thrive on so I added that pop sensibility to their classical sensibilities, which is what makes the music very, very different and very, very cool. Also, I’m joining the cast in Montreal as one of the lead characters. Her name is Yola. I'm a Cheshire Cat, which is why my hair is kind of purple-pink right now.

Alice-in-Wonderland-the-musical-writers-producers-musicians-music-score-coming-soon-Frank-Beddor-All-Things-Alice-podcast-Lewis-Carroll-modern-adaptation-literary-history

FB:

Before we jump into the whole process, let's give the listeners the elevator pitch.

VC:

I've always been fascinated with the character of the Mad Hatter. As time has evolved over the past 100 years, I think my fascination is also a joint fascination with other people. I've always gone down the rabbit hole myself of what his backstory was and so this is a story of a crippled man from boyhood who finds his way to Wonderland. In our post-COVID world, we have a lot of archetypes of Mental Health Awareness wrapped up in the musical and we tend to be in this place in history where we're fascinated with this idea of the villain.

I didn't want to make the Mad Hatter a villain, but we played with the idea of him being an antihero, making human mistakes, just as anybody would. Because hatters used mercury back in the Victorian period the Mad Hatter suffers from mercury poisoning, which is in large part why he has become mentally unstable. But there are many different levels of the story. You could take it from the fantasy of Wonderland versus the realism of a man going insane.

FB:

Does the musical go back and forth between our world and Wonderland?

VC:

Yeah, we go back and forth between the turn of the century London and Wonderland. Just as Lewis Carroll uses the rabbit hole, or the looking glass, as a way to travel to Wonderland, we use the Mad Hatter’s hat as a portkey.

FB:

That’s so clever. The hat makes perfect sense. So, what is your story behind the story? I'd also like to know how each of you became involved.

MP:

Vince and I started working together in 2016. Vince was the director, and I was a production coordinator and director, and producer on a show that we did together called Madame Butterfly. Then in 2018, Vince and I started working in Vienna, Austria. We were running education programs primarily in the opera sector, and we started to branch out. So, we went to London in 2018 in an effort to build a new program called the London Summer Music Theater Academy. We booked the theater, we booked the hotel, we booked the rehearsal space, and then we were looking for a show to do.

We were calling MTI looking for rights to do a show, and we couldn't get granted anything, but we had booked everything in preparation for a 2019 production. We were on a bench in London, and he said to me, “I have a great idea.” And I said, “What's that?” He goes, “Mad Hatter.” I said, “Mad Hatter, what?” He said, “We're writing a musical.”

It became quite a journey, as we led into 2019 with the original production, which was very much a student-led workshop with a full ensemble, in a West End theater. It was not only a way for us to work creatively, but then after the production was done, we all said, “Wow, maybe we should pursue this even further.”

It, creatively, forced us to work on a way to identify that this story might actually have a tremendous impact, not only on the audiences that well-received it in London, but that it could potentially expand into other audiences and become a significant work that can compete with many other existing shows.

Mad-Hatter-the-musical-original-poster-theater-ad-all-red-with-silhouette-of-man-and-child-both-wearing-top-hats-overlooking-London-England-creepy-spooky

FB:

Can you walk us through the process? Why do musicals usually seem to take a very long time to come to fruition? What are all the factors that go into getting it ready to put on its feet?

VC:

Let’s first start with how our path is a little different than the normal path. One of the questions was, Why does it take so long to get to Broadway? Or why does it take so long to get to La Jolla? It can start in a few different ways. Traditionally, what happens is a producer who's produced a musical before will cultivate a creative team. They’ll put together a book writer, and a composer that they like, and begin to generate a story. Over the next three to five years, they're developing the story through table reads and workshops where they will begin to add equity actors and try to elevate the piece after each hearing and continue to grow it into a product that is then commercialized and sellable so the producer can raise the $20 million it takes to get to Broadway. That's why it traditionally takes so long.

In this case, Mike and I have the study abroad programs in Vienna, which is an education program with the business model: If you want to be a classical musician, we're going to bring you to one of the classical meccas, which is Vienna. It’s very similar to London if you want to study musical theater. We sensed this hole in education and we wanted to be at the forefront of changing that horizon and so we got this idea to write a musical and as producers we have already created a space for it.

So, we luckily have built the asset, so that now going forward, the London Musical Theatre Academy is going to be for new musicals where we're actually developing new work right now aside from Mad Hatter. I think we’ve found a way to help musical theater, not only with our show but in general to bring awareness and to bring new projects to life.

FB:

What you're saying is you've created an infrastructure as creatives, producers, and educators, which allows your musical, and hopefully other people's musicals, to find their legs and be developed without the traditional process of the Broadway producer.

VC:

Actually, seeing the show, as a creator, was one of the first times in my life that I knew that I was a part of something bigger than myself. It was a very profound moment in my history as a creative. Since then, we've had a New York presentation, which is a very traditional step in development. That led us to now, our next step, which is going to be a full orchestra concert, where the music gets to be the hero, in Montreal next week. That is a non-traditional step. We did the industry presentation, and we did a workshop in a non-traditional way, but it's all connected to the next step, which is really cool.

Curtain-call-of-actors-singers-musicians-for-Alice-in-Wonderland-Mad-Hatter-the-Musical-Frank-Beddor-All-Things-Alice-podcast

FB:

Your concert with a full orchestra, you said that's unusual?

VC:

It’s unusual because there haven’t been many musicals that have been performed with a full orchestra. It's typically after a show has been on Broadway for 20 to 30 years sometimes. It’s an honor, because Alexandre de Costa, fell in love with the score because of the pop sensibility mixed with this romantic classicism. Our music has a timeless quality that also feels very relevant to today but it also has a sense of nostalgia that translates really well to orchestral music. Oftentimes in my elevator pitch, I’ll say, “If Wicked and Sweeney Todd had a baby, that’s what Mad Hatter is.”

FB:

Let’s focus on the music because we've been talking a lot about the orchestral aspect of it but just give us some highlights of some of the different songs and what you're excited for people to take away from this work.

VV:

One of the things that has been super exciting is seeing how the music has evolved from the beginning up to the final arrangement. For example, the opening number, “Pelt to Felt”. In the song, we learn the process of hatting and how they use the pelts from the animals and use mercury to make the felt to make the hats. It's so insane. There’s no other word to describe the music. It sounds so amazingly insane. It’s very easy to get into the feeling of the show just from that first number.

I'm very proud of this song called “Out of Sight” that I got to write for the wife of the Mad Hatter. It’s a song about how she and the children see the father figure go crazy, and not be the same person that he used to be and how that shifts the dynamics in the family. It’s a beautifully heartbreaking song of a mother, singing about how she knows her children are seeing their father change in front of them and not for the better. Mike has done a ridiculous job orchestrating. It's going to be such a tear-jerker. I'm so excited to see people cry.

VC:

We use different mediums of musical genres. We have “In a Mood” with the three Cheshire Sisters and it's complete jazz, and then we have the Mad Hatter, who has an operatic pop sensibility versus the Queen of Hearts, who is very much on the operatic side. Then we have Mary Beth, the Mad Hatter's wife, with Yola the Cheshire Cat being extremely musical theater belt. So, we were able to explore different varieties, but still bring the continuity of that melody that makes it all feel familiar.

FB:

I'm curious from a book writing standpoint, where you're trying to connect the story through the songs where the songs take you from Point A and advance the story yet the book has to be so well written, so the audience can follow the beats and the conflict with the characters. Can we talk thematically about the lead character and his story arc?

VC:

So, where does the story end? We end up at the tea party. That’s where I really wanted to end the story. You hear one of our most memorable melodies from “Will You Be My Wonderland?” and we see Alice and there's a blackout. Literally, people gasped in London, and we had standing ovations, so it was that surprise effect because there isn't really much mention of Alice at all, except I did give the Mad Hatter a daughter and her doll’s name is Alice.

But, in terms of the story, we were able to approach this from the idea of building an ark. We didn't say, “What's going to happen with the Hatter and only the Hatter?” We said, “Okay, I think that we need to do a quartet with the family.” So we actually decided we wanted to do a quartet before we turned it into the dinner scene, which was how we created “Papa Please,” which ended up being a very Sondheim-y number in the show, where we see conflict happening between the Mad Hatter's children and then we see the Mad Hatter’s aggressive behavior towards them. Just hinting at the chaos after he has been selling hats all day and working with mercury and all those types of things.

In our story, the Mad Hatter’s mother was a ballerina and his father was a hatter. Historically speaking, it's in between upper and lower class so I wanted to show that by giving these occupations to these two people who would be in between classes. We explore him not being able to sell any hats and there's generational trauma that we find out about in the overture, in that the Hatter actually wanted to dance like his mother but his father cripples him so he can never dance again.

We explore this with Mary Beth, the Mad Hatter's wife. There's this beautiful duet called “Relax, My Dear,” where she’s trying to let him know that everything's gonna be okay, and he'll sell hats tomorrow. They have this beautiful tender moment where they actually dance but he falls because he's crippled and he can't hold himself. That triggers a downward spiral of being haunted by his father's hat, which contains the portkey to Wonderland. Then we explore him being very depressed in London versus finding a sense of freedom and utopia in Wonderland, where he regains his ability to dance again.

We wanted to have the psychedelic effects of Wonderland be explained by something which, in our show, is the Wonderland Crystal, which creates the Wonderland Elixir, which, if consumed, connects everybody as almost a communion. But it also makes you feel the effects of Wonderland. In this case, it heals the Mad Hatter and he’s able to dance again.

To make a long story short, Wonderland is a sense of freedom and utopia for him and then it's taken from him when his hat falls off. The backstory is that the Mad Hatter’s father did some bad things in Wonderland, and so the Hatter is being punished for his father's mistakes, so this idea of generational trauma comes back and there are multiple reasons why the Hatter goes insane. Then he does whatever he can to get back to Wonderland, including murdering somebody, so we have this interesting juxtaposition between “off with your head.” We have the Queen giving that energy and then the Queen doubles as the demon that haunts the hat, basically punishing the Mad Hatter.

FB:

The idea that he’s dealing with something that horrific and difficult, and he goes to Wonderland, where he regains his legs and his ability to dance again, it's a beautiful reflection of what Lewis Carroll was writing about, which was identity, self-expression, and self-determination.

The dancing part of it is really important because it's the emotional part that you can just feel as you're describing it. All the other themes that you're talking about, about all the other characters that come into it, are going to give it richness. But what’s going to make us cry is when he starts to dance, and we're relating to him trying to find his identity.

MP:

Vince, it might be nice if you share with Frank the moment where Hatter almost imitates his father because I think it’s one of the most pivotal moments of the show.

VC:

The moment that Mike is talking about is when the Mad Hatter gets back to London. He was rejected by the Cheshire Cat, who he had fallen in love with because he had murdered somebody to get back to Wonderland. He stole their portkey to get back to Wonderland because he had to get back to see Yola the Cheshire Cat. When she rejects him, he hits rock bottom. When he gets back to London, he is trying to make sense of what's happening in his life and his son finds the Crystal and we see a recreation of what happened in the overture where the Hatter senior hits the Mad Hatter and now he is about to hit his son. It’s at this moment that he realizes that he's lost his mind. He realizes that he is no good for his family anymore and he's actually hurting them. So, he chooses to go back to Wonderland to accept the punishment from the Queen of Hearts rather than stay and bring his family harm. He's not a villain but he’s not a hero. He's not technically doing the right thing but it's very complex.

FB:

Alice in Wonderland is a work that has literally given us a vocabulary to articulate the times we're going through. You hear “down the rabbit hole” all the time, “through the looking glass,” and “Winter Wonderland.” Alice is always redefining a generation, and what's coming out of your musical for sure, is the mental health crisis. What are you hoping your musical will contribute to the vocabulary of the 2020s? What do you guys think?

VC:

I love that in our show, Yola is being played by a man. Victor's playing a female, which is kind of an ode to the operatic background that Mike and I come from, with men playing women’s roles has been happening since the 1600s. Suddenly, politically, it's causing World War Three right now in the United States with what's happening in Tennessee with drag bans. I just saw My Fair Lady, and there were men playing women and women playing men, and yet, it's being banned in places like Tennessee right now. It’s just another opportunity for us to show, it's not about gender, it's about humans and emotion. This idea that fantasy can be fantasy and emotions are emotions. I love that we're turning a few things upside down like we have the Cheshire Sisters instead of the Cheshire Cat. I just think that we're being true to ourselves by incorporating this idea of our 21st century.

Chesire-sisters-from-mad-hatter-the-musical-3-cat-like-women-wearing-extravagant-ball-gowns-wiith-feathered-head-gear-that-looks-like-cat-ears

FB:

I'm so happy to have had this chat. Thematically, you guys have such a strong show but as people, you're really creative and trying to share your knowledge and your education. You're also reaching out to give folks a forum, offering them a space to learn. There are so many aspects of how you're going through life that I think a lot of us hope and want to be able to do - be creative and give back. It's a beautiful thing to listen to, especially through the Alice in Wonderland lens, a work that's been so imaginative. It’s been with us for over 150 years and you're finding a way to make it relevant now in the 21st century.

If you were a character from Alice in Wonderland, who would you be and why?

Go ahead, Victor. I'm going to ask you first just because you have the biggest smile on your face. I don’t know if it’s because you have a Cheshire Cat smile right now.

VV:

Only because it's so freakin’ obvious. The way that Vince wrote the Cheshire Cats and the Cheshire Sisters is so fun. I love the way that the Cheshire Cats are in our show, and thinking about how they are with how the Cheshire Cat is in Alice in Wonderland, it's so easy to see how the whole Cheshire race is so fun that I just have to be the Cheshire Cat. I just have to.

FB:

And you Michael?

MP:

Oh my gosh, I don't know. I think maybe when I was 19, I would be the Caterpillar for sure. Now that I'm 37 I don't know. I've kind of lived through every role. I think right now, I'm currently feeling like the Mad Hatter. But I think Vince is coming into it more than I am.

VV:

I don't know, Mike, you kind of strike me as the Rabbit.

MP:

Maybe I'm the Rabbit. Maybe that’s it.

Mad-hatter-the-musical-caterpillar-character-art-pale-skinned-worm-like-creature-wearing-teal-top-hat-and-gold-and-light-green-coat-that-is-very-aristocratic

VC:

I've been really getting ingrained in the Mad Hatter because I'm just performing the role, but I'm actually going to answer it similarly to what Michael said. I love this idea of the Caterpillar because it reminds me so much of my grandfather. In the book, I think the Caterpillar’s portrayed a little bit as a jerk but when I envisioned him, I think of him as more wise and philosophical. That’s really what I want to be.

FB:

Those are excellent, excellent answers. Gentlemen, thank you again, so much. This is just part one. We're going to have more of the creative crew on and we're going to talk more about pop culture influences, Alice, and, of course, we're going to talk more about the Hatter. We're gonna do a little bit of trivia about some of his rhymes and we have quite a bit more to go through. But until then, thank you for an epic morning of the Mad Hatter and your music.

For the latest updates & news about All Things Alice, read our blog or subscribe to our podcast!

6 of the Very Best Mad Hatter Tea Sets To Collect

The Mad Hatter's Day came and went in October, but don't be fooled - it's never too early to prepare for the next year's celebration! And if there's one thing we've learned from Lewis Carroll's classic tale, it's that the allure of Victorian elegance can be found even in the most ordinary of objects - like a humble tea set.

Subtlety is not the name of the game in Wonderland. Oh no, my dear reader. This is a world where everything is larger than life and eccentricity reigns supreme. These sets are not your typical run-of-the-mill dishes. They boast whimsical designs and extraordinary style that will transport you straight to the Mad Hatter's tea party. And trust us, once you set these beauties on your table, the ambiance they create will have you feeling like a true Mad Hatter in no time.

So come along with us as we tumble down another rabbit hole and explore the very best Mad Hatter tea sets for every occasion. Just a word of caution, dear reader - the further you delve, the stranger and more whimsical these tea sets become!

1.) MARY BLAIR UPSIDE DOWN HANDLE COLLECTION

Mary-Blair-upside-down-handle-collection-Alice-In-Wonderland-tea-set-with-characters-mad-hatter-whiite-rabbiti-Chesire-cat-red-queen-white-queen-flowers-beautiful-elegant-ligiht-blue-wiith-golden-handles

This Alice in Wonderland Teacup boasts a simpler design, yet there is still a degree of madness about it - particularly with the reverse handle.

The light aqua-colored coating serves as the base for paintings depicting scenes from Wonderland, and it comes in a set of four - each with its own mesmerizing story told through the paintings. But the magic doesn't stop there. The plates in this collection feature paintings of the unique fauna native to Wonderland.

Crafted by the renowned Mary Blair, this collection is not just for avid collectors, but also for those who want to relish in the delight of afternoon tea in the comfort of their own homes. Though it may not create an ambiance in the same manner as some of the more eccentric tea sets we shall soon explore, this teacup is a fitting collectible for those who appreciate the artistry of Wonderland.

2.) TRI-SPOUT TEA SET

Tri-spout-tea-set-teapot-Alice-in-Wonderland-themed-tea-sets-black-and-white-with-red-queen-of-hearts

And now, we invite you to discover a true masterpiece in the world of teapot design - the Tri-Spout Teapot. Yes, you read that right - a teapot with not one, not two, but three spouts! This may sound like something straight out of Wonderland, but we assure you it is quite real.

The unique design is sure to be a conversation starter and will undoubtedly make a statement in any home. The white background serves as the perfect backdrop for the impeccably crafted silhouettes of Alice, the Red Queen, the Cheshire Cat, and the Red Queen's soldiers. The true star of this set is the teapot - with its three pouring holes, featuring the Red Queen and her warriors. A cute red heart adorns the lid, adding to the whimsy of the design. While it may not be practical, it is indeed lovely.

3.) TIM BURTON’S THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS TEA SET

Tim-Burton-Through-The-Looking-Glass-Tea-Set-Queen-of-Hearts-Johnny-Depp-Mad-Hatter-Chesire-Cat-Alice-in-Wonderland-fancy-tea-set-with-macroons-cups-teapot

For fans of the topsy turvy and often dark machinations of Tim Burton, this tea set sports a modest and modernist silhouette with striking artwork of his Alice In Wonderland characters. Each cup is adorned with vibrant colors coinciding with the characters featured. Naturally, Johnny Depp’s iconic Mad Hatter takes the place of honor on the tea pot itself.

4.) JAMES SADLER VINTAGE CHILDREN’S BOOK TEAPOT

Vintage-children's-books-inspired-teapot-by-James-Sadler-ceramic-tea-pot-that-looks-like-a-bookshelf-with-Lewis-Carroll-Alice-in-Wonderland-book-cover-classic-stories-porcelain-novelty-collectors-item

For a bit of pedigree on your tea table, and if you have a keen eye for auctions and scant availability—consider seeking out a James Sadler Alice in Wonderland Children’s Book Teapot. Hard to come by, but well worth the hunt.

Anyone with any awareness of fine porcelain and novelty collections alike will know the works of James Sadler. Stand out among the multitude of the company’s wide variety of teapots and tea sets would be the “Classic Stories Book Collection”. From Treasure Island to Wind in the Willows and even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterwork Sherlock Holmes every teapot in the collection is brilliantly crafted to look like a bundle of books.

Best of all is of course the Alice in Wonderland Classic Stories Teapot. So popular is the timeless tale that the teapot was released once in the 1970s and again with updated art in 1990. No finer image could be selected for the “cover” of this book than the iconic tea party scene. Those with an eye for detail will also smile to see the red rose emblematic of the Red Queen atop the little teapot serving as the piece’s lid.

5.) CLASSIC JOHN TENNIEL ALICE IN WONDERLAND ILLUSTRATION TEA SET

Teapots-and-tea-cups-on-a-shelf-classic-John-Tenniel-Alice-in-Wonderland-illustrations-sugar-bowl-gold-accents-on-mint-green-and-white-porcelain-with-pencil-drawings-of-classic-characters

With a nod to Victorian elegance, this tea set sports black and white illustrations created by the iconic John Tenniel for the original books by Lewis Carroll infused into the porcelain. Alice, The Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat make their appearances on the teapot and cups. Collectors will also adore that the maker Angioletti Designs offers the set in powder blue, gentle green, and soft pink. Likewise, each color set offer a different combination of illustrations.

Of course, the set is made whole by a creamer cup and a sugar bowl. Rest assured despite the “eat me” labelling no shrinking or growing should occur upon consumption. The border of each piece is a scrolled raised gold which would make even Queen Victoria pleased with the royal dignity of tea time with this porcelain masterpiece.

6.) ULTRA RARE ALICE IN DISNEYLAND TEA POT

Disney-Alice-in-Wonderland-tea-set-teapot-cups-plates-sugar-bowl-extremely-rare-collectors-item-centerpiece-of-tea-table-mad-hatter's-tea-party-hard-to-find-classic-Disney-animation-accents-on-trii-spout-tea-pot-and-accessories-flowers-Chesire-Cat-caterpillar-singing-flower-Disneyland-memorabilia-by-Elisabete-Gomes

For the big spender collectors, here is a crown jewel. Disney’s iconic depiction of Wonderland was so bursting with color and beautiful whimsey—and this tea set from Elisabete Gomes perfectly captures everything about the movie.

This is another tri-spout teapot, but it sports even finer hand sculpted creatures and flowers from the gardens of Wonderland from the previous entries on this list. Alice and the Cheshire cat are perfectly depicted, but the Singing Flower at the centerpiece of this tea pot makes it true centerpiece item for the most discerning collectors of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia.

Cart
Checkout - $0.00
  • 0
  • 1