The Astonishing Rabbitino, Dodo Sminkypuffs, the Cheshire Cat — all are introduced by “Me, your host, the Mad Hatter”, and all are acts in the Queen of Hearts’ Royal Variety Show.

Her Majesty (Liza Sadovy, favourite expression: “Off with their heads”) appropriately watches the show from a Royal Theatre box.

But first Alice must be magicked up from the audience (don’t worry, you won’t suddenly be picked out, she’s been planted there in advance). As the Queen rules over some sort of democracy (when it suits her), the whole audience is allowed to vote on Alice’s costume. Tradition reigns supreme: a blue dress with frilly sleeves and a white apron was unanimously chosen.

Alice (Jill McAusland) is a bit of a bossy boots, and — we are pointedly told — is very good at maths and always keeps her bedroom tidy. “Ugh,” I’m sure I heard someone call out from the audience. She’s also a party pooper: “I don’t like this,”" she exclaims at the Mad Hatter’s tea party. But who can blame her, for this famed event has been turned into a TV game show, with the circular table being whirled round every few seconds. You have to eat whatever cake happens to stop in front of you. Alice’s plate is invariably empty.

By now you will have gathered that adapter Phil Porter and co-directors Dani Parr and Laurie Sansom have moved quite a long way from Lewis Carroll’s original book, and at times I found myself in agreement with the policeman — called in to sort out fisticuffs in a Punch and Judy act — who cheerfully asks: “What is the point of this scene?”

The overall result is a bit of a curate’s egg. But there are plenty of chances for audience participation, and the nine-strong ensemble cast work extremely hard to provide the maximum possible amount of magic.

Until January 8. For tickets go to the website (www.royalandderngate.co.uk) or call 01604 624811. Giles Woodforde