Watch out for the Mad Hatter, Tweedledum and Tweedledee and the rest of Lewis Carroll’s timeless characters in a season show staged by the Whitwell Players.

They promise that their Alice In Wonderland, which will be performed at the village’s New Fellowship Hall from next Thursday, December 11, through to Saturday, December 13, is one not to be missed.

Alice is played by children’s chorus graduate Sophie Papworth and the show will include a hazardous rabbit hole, a palace garden which stretches out into the audience, use of outdoor space for the action, costumes on loan from the National Theatre and interactive areas for members of the audience.

Director Mark Norman said: “This is a genuinely ambitious show for a village group working in a village hall.

“I’d like to think this production will show people that much of the live theatre that happens on their doorstep can prove to be exceptional entertainment.”

The high production values are made possible thanks to local husband-and-wife actors Mark Rawlings and Elizabeth Keates who have brought experience, vision and superlative carpentry skills to the group.

A percentage of the profits from the show will go to the children’s ward and services at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital.

Performances are at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinee at 2pm. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/whitwellplayers and are priced at £6 (single), £11 (pair) and £20 for a group of four.