(Listen to music below)
New Adventures in Wonderland is a vibrant, imaginative Year 6 leavers' musical, featuring original music by Owen Else and commissioned by Small Spark Productions.
Inspired by the whimsical world of Lewis Carroll, the piece reimagines Wonderland as a metaphorical landscape through which students journey during the final stages of primary school. Over the course of the show, familiar Wonderland characters guide the young protagonists through a series of surreal yet emotionally resonant encounters that reflect the challenges, fears, and hopes that often accompany the transition to secondary school.
The musical features 10 original songs, each written in a distinct musical style, from rock, country music, rap to world music, the work is a dynamic and accessible soundscape tailored specifically for young voices. Every song is crafted to be performed by children, ensuring that the vocal range, lyrical content, and storytelling feel authentic, empowering, and age-appropriate.
Within each scene, the characters face dilemmas that mirror real-world worries faced by Year 6 students—such as making new friends, getting lost, academic pressure, or leaving behind familiar teachers and routines. Through these moments, New Adventures in Wonderland offers a playful yet meaningful way for young people to explore and express the emotional complexities of growing up, all while celebrating their unique strengths and imaginations.
