Aerialists and burlesque dancers dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland performed for more than 300 guests at the University of Toronto's Hart House on Friday for the school's second annual Palais d'Hiver event, which adopted a "Through the Looking Glass" theme in honour of Tim Burton's film adaptation of the Lewis Caroll classic.
Acrobats from Zero Gravity Circus, dressed as Alice and the white rabbit, performed three acts on hoops and silks suspended from an apparatus set up in the middle of the venue's Great Hall. Dancers from Glamour Puss Burlesque also wore costumes reminiscent of characters from the novel and performed three shows, from the group's Burlesque in Wonderland production, in a curtained-off section of the room.
In addition to booking themed entertainment, Jeff Cameron, communications spokesperson for the university's student centre, worked with Just Design to dress the hall for a mad tea party. Menu items included crustless sandwiches and fruit scones, catered by Hart House. Black and white checkered linens topped tables and teapots and teacups held floral arrangements. The decor also included a variety of potted plants, laden with oversize playing cards, which referenced the caterpillar's forest from Alice in Wonderland.