REVIEW -MEET THE HATTER | Z-ARTS, MANCHESTER | 14/02/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
MEET THE HATTER – A MAGICAL FAMILY DANCE ADVENTURE
From the moment the lights dimmed at Z-arts Manchester, Meet the Hatter completely swept us into its magical world.
Visually breathtaking, emotionally engaging and bursting with imagination, this ambitious dance and multimedia production from Joss Arnott Dance is pure theatrical magic for families.
Alice (8) and Leo (6) were absolutely mesmerised from start to finish — and so was I.
Created to celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary, Meet the Hatter is the most ambitious production to date from Joss Arnott Dance. Inspired by the iconic character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this reimagining focuses entirely on the Hatter’s story — but with a fresh and imaginative twist.
Performed at Z-arts Manchester, the 65-minute production blends contemporary dance, storytelling, original music, digital projection, animation and lighting to create a fully immersive theatrical experience for audiences aged 5+.
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and commissioned by Lincoln Arts Centre, this is a production that feels bold, ambitious and incredibly special to watch.
When no one arrives at his famous tea party, the Hatter is left alone.
Instead of giving up, he turns to imagination and play — creating his own magical version of Wonderland. What follows is a spectacular journey through shifting landscapes, dreamlike worlds and moments of self-discovery.
The story is easy for younger audiences to follow, but never once feels basic or watered down. Themes of loneliness, individuality, imagination and belonging are woven naturally into the adventure.
Alice sat wide-eyed as entire worlds appeared and transformed through projection. Leo barely moved in his seat, completely absorbed in everything unfolding on stage.
It’s theatre that truly respects its young audience — inviting them to feel, imagine and believe alongside the Hatter.
Visually, Meet the Hatter at Z-arts Manchester is absolutely stunning.
The multimedia design transforms a simple stage into a constantly evolving Wonderland. Through layered projection and animation, the Hatter appears to step into star-filled skies, dramatic landscapes and magical environments — creating a cinematic feel rarely seen in family theatre.
Lighting adds striking depth and atmosphere, using bold colour shifts to instantly transport us to new worlds. The original score begins as you enter the auditorium and carries the story beautifully, moving from playful and whimsical to sweeping and emotional.
The choreography tells the story so clearly that you understand exactly how the Hatter is feeling — even without words. The movement is athletic, expressive and full of personality.
The way the performer moves in perfect harmony with the projections is extraordinary — it genuinely feels like he is dancing inside a living, breathing Wonderland.
Costume design by Maisie Drewery-Harris complements the storytelling beautifully, grounding the character while allowing freedom for the physicality required.
It’s a true treat for the eyes and it sparks the imagination at every turn.
On the performance we attended at Z-arts Manchester, Dominic Coffey performed the role of the Hatter.
To hold an audience’s attention alone on stage for over an hour is no small task — but Coffey does it effortlessly. His portrayal balances theatrical eccentricity with genuine vulnerability, making the Hatter instantly relatable from the very first moment.
From the quieter moments of loneliness to bursts of playful energy, his performance keeps you completely invested.
And then came the ending.
In a joyful interactive finale, children are invited to their feet to dance — and both Alice and Leo absolutely loved it. Alice proudly showed off her dance moves, and when the Hatter came into the audience and gave her a high five, she was absolutely beaming. It was one of those beautiful theatre moments that feels personal, inclusive and completely magical.
Meet the Hatter at Z-arts Manchester is everything family theatre should be — imaginative, visually spectacular and emotionally resonant.
It celebrates creativity, individuality and the power of imagination in a way that feels genuinely meaningful. It challenges what dance theatre for young audiences can be, proving that children deserve ambitious, cinematic experiences too.
Alice and Leo were completely absorbed from start to finish, and I left feeling equally inspired. It’s rare to find a production that speaks so beautifully to both children and adults — but Meet the Hatter does exactly that.
This is a five-star family triumph.
✨ A spectacular swirl of projection, movement and imagination — Meet the Hatter is pure theatrical magic.
Meet the Hatter is at Z-arts Manchester until Sunday 15th February 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
If you would like more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the show's official website.
Photo Credit - Josh Tomalin
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review.
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