When checking the British Library for things to add to the events calendar last month, there was a listing for an event on Feb 24th relating to Alice in Wonderland – with a note that “Programme and special guest speakers to be announced”.
Well, the programme has been announced, and it looks like a good-un.
The stars of the new film [Michael Sheen (White Rabbit) Matt Lucas (Tweedledum and Tweedledee) and Christopher Lee (The Jabberwock)] will be reading extracts from Alice in Wonderland, there will be an appreciation of the Alice stories by Will Self, discussion with producer Richard Zanuck and co-producer Joe Roth of Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland, and a screening of the earliest film version from 1903, recently restored by the BFI and shown with a live piano accompaniment.
The event will be hosted by writer and all-round Tim Burton fan, Mark Salisbury.
Prior to the event there will be a chance to visit a new display containing highlights of the British Library’s Alice material, showcasing the original manuscript, hand written and illustrated by Lewis Carroll in 1862, as well as unique original costume designs for the new Tim Burton film.
This sounds like one of the better publicity stunts for a Disney film, although fitting that many people (and a short film) into 90 minutes does suggest they might have tried to cram a bit too much awesomeness into too short a time frame.
Booking is necessary and the evening costs £7.50 / £5 concessions.
http://www.bl.uk/whatson/events/event104389.html
Image courtesy of the British Library