Alice steps into Westcountry Wonderland
A WESTCOUNTRY stately home was transformed into a surreal wonderland yesterday as the first day's shooting of a Disney-backed film got under way.
Alice in Wonderland – directed by Tim Burton – is rumoured to star Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Little Britain's Matt Lucas as brothers Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee.
With Hollywood idol Depp absent and understood to be filming on the other side of the Atlantic in America, the star of the show was magnificent National Trust-owned Antony House at Torpoint.
The gardens were the backdrop for the scenes before Alice, played by little-known Australian actress Mia Wasikowska, 18, is transported to Wonderland. One extra told the WMN that clad in black, wearing dark sunglasses, Edward Scissorhands and Sweeny Todd helmsman Burton had spent a "hands on" day directing the action.
She said: "It was incredible – the organisation was immense.
"There were 40 make-up artists in a whole marquee dedicated to make-up and wigs.
"There were over 200 extras today, more men than women."
The cast members remained tight-lipped about filming, particularly after "confidentiality" reminders by security staff.
Some members said that Mia Wasikowska was on set, but they were not familiar with the actress, although she has been described as "a new star".
Filming is due to take place over the next two weeks at the early 18th-century mansion, which has been home to the Carew Pole family for 600 years.
Although filming lasts just a fortnight, Antony House will be closed until October 14 to allow for parts of the house and grounds which have been adapted for filming to be restored.
Last month, some 3,000 people queued in Plymouth for the chance to be cast as extras in the film.
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