So, I'm The Mad Hatter...

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 7:46pm

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.

[Juliash]

Posted: 10/27/08 at 8:38pm

Oh girl, you sound specific enough :). Good luck!

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/28/08 at 5:59pm

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.

[Juliash]

Posted: 10/29/08 at 10:23pm

Tights under the breeches? Or knee high boots...

I don't really like all white suits on stage. They remind me of chalk and it makes my fingers feel dry and I start using moisturizer obsessively. But that's just me.

but it seems like it fits the character well. Do you get that much say in your costume?

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/30/08 at 5:42pm

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.

[regnad kcin]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 10:32am

Sounds fabulous, but I would ditch the sunglasses. Elton John INSPIRED is good but when people see the glasses they'll start thinking of him and not your character.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/3/08 at 11:20am

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.)

[dg22894]

Posted: 11/8/08 at 11:27pm

I am a boy but I played it and I would make it zany and I do not think it is that gender dependent.

[broadway234]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 3:25pm

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.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/16/08 at 5:53pm

I'm not wearing the sunglasses anymore, because my costume's colour scheme has changed-- my jacket is now bright plum purple. But yeah, the cane is maybe a little bit pimpish... and the March Hare and I do use it to beat up the Dormouse on a couple of occasions...

Show opens on Thursday. I'm excited, but nervous. My character is SO strange and goofy that either it'll be a smash success or I'll look like a moron.

[KathyGriffinLovesYou]

Posted: 11/19/08 at 7:43pm

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?

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/19/08 at 8:03pm

ACTUALLY,in rehearsal today (Show opens tomorrow!) my theatre teacher said, "Hatter, you're being too sexy again!"

The entire cast just froze and started laughing their heads off. She also said I look 'too much like Marilyn Monroe.' The rest of the cast says I look like Willy Wonka, but whatever. I toned down the overt sexuality, especially after she said that the March Hare and I seemed like a 'couple.' (Because I am playing a man, and the March Hair is very obviously male, complete with facial hair and whatnot.)

[KathyGriffinLovesYou]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 7:37pm

HAHA WELL never mind then!

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/21/08 at 9:51pm

Opening night was a smash success! The play is going extremely well, and everyone in it is fabulous. I hope it continues to rake in the dough.

[Mekroth]

Posted: 11/23/08 at 2:18am

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

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/24/08 at 6:35am

It's actually a pretty recent adaptation that was originally performed by a children's theatre in Seattle, and although it's called "Alice In Wonderland," it's also got scenes from "Through The Looking-Glass." All of the dialogue is taken from the books, but they leave out a lot, too (like the Mock Turtle and the birds that are trying to get dry and the White Queen altogether and a lot more.)

We all walked down to Subway, Blockbuster, and CVS in our costumes the day of closing...