The Mad Hatter’s Tea-Party (2018)

for narrator, flute/piccolo (Alice), clarinet/bass clarinet (Mad Hatter), violin (March Hare), cello (Dormouse), and percussion (Time)

Duration: 18’

Commissioned by Canberra International Music Festival, and first performed by Paul English, Ned McGowan, Oliver Shermacher, Anna Da Silva Chen, Miles Mullin-Chivers, and Claire Edwardes

Full archival recording available at request

Original Program Note

Holly has been mad about Alice disappearing down the rabbit hole for a long time. She has now written the music for a mad tea-party to be held in Canberra. She has brought all her friends along: Ned on flute who is supposed to sound a bit like Alice, Ollie on clarinet (he’s the Mad Hatter himself), Anna (violin) the March Hare, and Miles (cello) the Dormouse. Paul (narrator) will tell you all about it because he likes tea. Oh, and I almost forgot Claire (percussion) who likes to keep Time!

Penny and Greg are also mad about Holly, so they made it all possible.

Performances

26 March 2022, Ensemble Offspring and Katia Molino, Bowral Autumn Music Festival, St Jude’s Auditorium, NSW

6 May 2018, Paul English, Ned McGowan, Oliver Shermacher, Anna Da Silva Chen, Miles Mullin-Chivers, and Claire Edwardes, Canberra International Music Festival, Fitters’ Workshop, Canberra

Review & Words

Her [Harrison’s] musical setting of the humorous text was principally clever variations on “I’m a Little Tea Pot” and “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and that was perfect for children.  I noticed many smile as they recognised a well-known tune being played somewhat differently to their norm. The five players were appropriately hatted with rabbit ears, a wig and top hat (of course) and all threw themselves into their acting roles with enthusiasm similar to their animated playing.   With his deep, rich voice the vastly experienced actor Paul English added to the story telling atmosphere as he told the tale with perfect theatre tone and timing.

(Canberra CityNews)