Wonderland

Alexei Ratmansky, one of the world’s most renowned choreographers, is creating a world premiere for Hamburg Ballet for the first time, based on Lewis Carroll’s classics Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.
The adventures of the curious and headstrong young Alice in a world governed by entirely different rules continue to fascinate to this day.
Is it all just a (night)dream? A parallel universe?
The enchanting and fantastical story is in the best hands with Ratmansky, who masterfully weaves classical ballet with a modern sensibility.

They are considered to be among the very first fantasy books, have been enchanting generations of young readers for over 100 years and make adults smile but also give them pause: Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass". The adventures of little, headstrong Alice in a world that follows its very own rules - and thus holds up a mirror to our own – captivate and fascinate to this day. The sometimes cute, sometimes terrifying characters of Wonderland – including the hasty White Rabbit, the sly Cheshire Cat, the philosophizing Caterpillar, the twin brothers Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the mad duo of March Hare and Hatter and the dictatorial Queen of Hearts – who is constantly shouting "Off with her head!" – have long become cultural icons.

Is it all just a dream? A parallel universe? A journey into the subconscious? Caroll's wondrous books offer many possible interpretations. Commissioned by the Hamburg Ballet, one of the world's most renowned choreographers will now take on this fantastical story: Alexei Ratmansky. The American choreographer with Ukrainian roots is currently Artist in Residence of New York City Ballet; the New York Times describes him as "arguably the most important ballet choreographer today". In addition to his numerous creations for leading companies world-wide, Ratmansky is also known for his reconstructions of the great works of the 19th century. Committed to classical ballet through and through, he is a master in the art of interweaving classical technique with a modern sensibility. Above all, however, he is a brilliant storyteller. The enchanting – and at times confounding – story of Alice's adventures is in the best of hands with him and Hamburg audiences can look forward to a magical and fantastical ballet.