IT is apt that the second production in the Storyhouse's first ever season - Alice in Wonderland - is a celebration of words and of stories.

And you will need to bring your imagination with you for Glyn Maxwell's two-hour plus, unique adaptation of Lewis Carroll's masterpiece.

The 'Wonderland' here (spelt out in individual huge building block type letters) is a nightmare version of school.

The stage is stark and the characters use them as props - literally.

When the time-obsessed white rabbit goes down a hole he enters through the letter O.

You get the picture - it's a nice visual idea from designer Jess Curtis who also loves her colours.

It sets the scenes for a real play on words directed by Derek Bond.

Here there are two versions of our heroine: young Alice (Rebecca Birch) and the older Alicia (Anna Leong Brophy).

It is the last day of summer and Alice is about to start big school.

She is in two minds - she wants to be an adult but also wants to remain a child.

She wants her cake in more ways than one.

Alice enters surreal Wonderland where she meets weird and wacky characters including desks that talk and Scouse-speaking flowers.

Favourites Caroll creations come to say their bit and confuse both our Alices.

There's the very rotund Humpty Dumpty who is a bit of an upper-crust snob played with an endearing playfulness by Daniel Goode, and a dapper Cheshire Cat who grins and bares his view on life.

Tom Connor shines as the White Rabbit and Mad March Hare while agile Alex Mugnaioni plays the Mad Hatter who gets crazier by the minute.

The tea party sees the actors - including Baker Mukasa's Dormouse – carry on stage their own cake-laden table.

Their antics raise plenty of laughs for youngsters while the adults mused about the philosophy on offer.

This Alice in Wonderland does not have special effects.

Composer Jude Obermuller and musical director Barbara Hockaday weave some whimsical into their proceedings.

Full marks to this 'Alice band' with a difference.

This show will also be presented in the popular outdoors Grosvenor Open Air Theatre.

Storyhouse has already established its place on the vibrant North West arts scene and I look forward to their next two productions Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Oh, and there will be lashings of Enid Blyton's Secret Seven at Christmas.

For now, mark my words, this is Alice in Wonderland presented with a twist – Lewis Carroll would have liked that.

Four stars .. Curiously Clever!

The show is on until August 27

Tickets from www.storyhouse.com