This summer, Sydney families are invited to tumble headfirst into a world of whimsy as Broad Encounters and The Grand Electric, in partnership with Fever, bring Mad Hatter’s Tea Party to life.
From 3 to 25 January 2026, The Grand Electric transforms into a gloriously topsy-turvy Wonderland, where circus collides with comedy, imagination runs wild and absolutely everyone is invited to the maddest tea party in town. Designed for kids, grown-ups and anyone who loves a little joyful chaos, this cheeky family-friendly spectacle serves up a fast-paced hour of immersive fun, high-flying acrobatics, eccentric characters and non-stop laughter.
Inspired by the much-loved 2017–2018 production Funatorium: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party-which delighted audiences at the Sydney Opera House, QPAC and Auckland Live-this brand-new 2026 incarnation arrives with fresh energy, a new cast and an even bigger appetite for Wonderland mayhem.
Directed by former Circus Oz Artistic Director Mike Finch, the show blends world-class circus skills with playful storytelling and riotous audience interaction. Expect teacups tumbling, sugar cubes flying and the fourth wall enthusiastically dismantled as the action unfolds all around you.
Visually, the production bursts into life thanks to bold costume and set design by Melanie Liertz, flooding the stage with vivid colour, texture and visual mischief. A dynamic ensemble of Australia’s leading circus and theatre performers bring Wonderland’s most beloved misfits to life, including the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Red Kween, Flamingo and the ever-anxious White Rabbit.
Children are encouraged to join in the chaos, making this a show where giggles, gasps and full-body laughter are not just welcome, but expected. It’s interactive, inclusive and designed to spark imagination at every turn.
Set within the intimate surrounds of The Grand Electric, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is the inaugural production in the venue’s Little Sparks program – a new initiative dedicated to igniting creativity and wonder in children and their families. Audiences can also enjoy a playful, topsy-turvy high tea experience, complete with sweet treats, mocktails and cocktails for the grown-ups.
With its unique cabaret-style atmosphere, bold visuals and boundless energy, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party promises to be a highlight of the summer school holidays -a joyful celebration of imagination, silliness and shared laughter for the whole family.
Venue: The Grand Electric, 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills
Season: Saturday 3 – Tuesday 25 January 2026
Duration: 60 minutes
Age: All ages (children must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
Bookings: madhattershow.com
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