So, I'm The Mad Hatter...

I was recently cast as the Mad Hatter in a production of "Alice in Wonderland." It's a very unusual production-- for example, the Queen of Hearts is a boy who is about six feet and seven inches tall. In any case, I'm a girl, and I wanted to come up with a rather unusual portrayal of the Hatter. I'm certainly not going to copy the Disney film's interpretation...

I have a low voice for a girl, and I can make it sound rather eerily convincingly male when I want (especially when singing). But my features are very feminine-looking and I have really long hair, so I was thinking of playing the role as very androgynous, a rather foppish, affected Upper Class Twit sort of personality, with a twist of Elton John and echoes of Tim Curry.

Anyone have any better or more specific ideas for how I can create a very different portrayal of the Mad Hatter? I'm going in a very zany, manic, physical comedy sort of direction, not dark and edgy. Though certainly extremely creepy, with no respect for personal space.

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Hehehe, thanks for bolstering my confidence... I'm just really nervous because it's kind of an iconic character, and I really want to do a good job. There are a lot of guys who wanted my part who are none too pleased that it went to a girl, and I want to prove myself worthy.

For my costume, I was thinkin' a sort of Elton John look? White breeches, white overcoat, pink hankerchief in pocket, ruffly lime green shirt, pink cummerbund, pink bowtie, lime green top hat, oversized pink sunglasses, pocket watch, giant cane with huge fake diamond on top.

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Yeps, the breeches are tucked into the boots. And as much as I hate all-white suits, the jacket is open over this blindingly green shirt and pink cummerbund, and the set is dark, so I thought it might work this time. I just KNOW I'm going to sit in ketchup or chocolate or something embarrassing just before going onstage... oh well, I guess that's in-character.

Yeah, the director wants us to come up with our own costume ideas and possibly even bring in the costumes. She doesn't like using professional costumers for our straight plays; she usually reserves that for out musicals.

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Ahhh, I was thinking of wearing them for about two seconds and then take them off. But just have them on when I make my entrance. I could just wear them during curtain call, though. (They're clown sunglasses that are like as big as my face, so they'd definitely obstruct my acting.)

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your interpretation of the Mad Hatter sounds very exciting, i really wish i could see it person. and all of the outfit sounds perfect but i'm not sure about the sunglasses and the cane... almost sounds "pimp-esque". just my opinion.

I know its too late to acually consider this- but it would be sooo fabulous if you had like a MC of Cabaretish kind of air, like flirtish with anything that moves and intimidatingly sexual and sleazy? Huh? Huh?

HAHA WELL never mind then!

Is this the old version from the 1930's, or is it another version?