Alice in Paradise by Raëll Padamsee: A Theatre Movement Rooted in Inclusion, Imagination and Impact

When you speak about contemporary Indian theatre that balances scale with soul, spectacle with substance, one name consistently stands at the forefront: Raëll Padamsee.

With Alice in Paradise, presented in November 2025, Raëll Padamsee once again demonstrates why she remains one of India’s most influential theatre producers and education advocates. This is not simply a re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland. It is a socially conscious, emotionally intelligent theatrical experience designed to reflect the psychological landscape of children growing up in the digital age.

And at its centre lies Padamsee’s enduring belief that theatre is not entertainment alone. It is empowerment.

Who Is Raëll Padamsee?

For anyone searching “Raëll Padamsee theatre,” “ACE Productions India,” or “Raëll Padamsee educational theatre,” the answer goes far beyond production credits.

Raëll Padamsee is one of India’s leading theatre producers, educators and advocates for youth performance arts. As the head of ACE Productions, she has spent decades nurturing young talent, building confidence in children through theatre, and using performance as a tool for life skills development.

Her work carries forward a legacy deeply rooted in Indian theatre history, while continuously evolving to address modern realities.

What distinguishes her productions is intention. Every show carries a social heartbeat.

Alice in Paradise: A Modern Re-Imagining of Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Paradise is a powerful re-interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, tailored for children navigating a hyper-digital, hyper-competitive world.

Instead of a whimsical rabbit hole, this Alice journeys through three symbolic worlds:

• Social Media Land – a glittering realm of filters, validation loops and screen addiction

• The Urban Jungle – a high-pressure environment shaped by competition and societal expectations

• True Paradise – a rediscovery of empathy, authenticity and genuine human connection

This production speaks directly to pressing themes such as:

• Screen addiction in children

• Social comparison culture

• Mental health awareness

• Identity formation in the age of algorithms

• The importance of real-world relationships

Search for “theatre addressing screen addiction India” or “children’s play about social media” and Alice in Paradise becomes a benchmark example.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Action

If you are looking up “inclusive theatre in India” or “Diversity Equity Inclusion theatre productions,” Alice in Paradise stands as a living case study.

The production brought together 150 children from mainstream schools and NGOs including CSED Agripada, Muktangan, Vatsalya, SEC, ADAPT, Pehchaan, My Udaan and Seva Sadan.

Children from marginalized communities and differently-abled backgrounds were not featured symbolically. They were integrated as equal storytellers.

This is what makes Raëll Padamsee’s work distinctive within Indian theatre:

• No tokenism

• No segregation

• No hierarchy of ability

Just shared narrative, shared spotlight and shared ownership.

In a time when DEI conversations often remain corporate rhetoric, Alice in Paradise demonstrates how inclusion can be practiced on stage in tangible, transformative ways.

A Creative Powerhouse Collaboration

Directed by Craig Dquadros and choreographed by Shiamak Davar's Victory Foundation, the production combines theatrical storytelling with high-energy movement and ensemble choreography.

Yet what anchors it is Padamsee’s vision.

Her productions consistently balance:

• Professional-grade execution

• Educational depth

• Emotional accessibility

• Social commentary

The result is theatre that resonates across generations.

Why Alice in Paradise Matters in 2026

In a year where conversations around children’s mental health, digital dependency and social pressure have intensified, Alice in Paradise feels urgently relevant.

It does not condemn technology. It contextualizes it.

It does not shame children for living online. It explores how they can live meaningfully offline too.

For parents searching “theatre for children Mumbai,” “educational plays for kids,” or “family-friendly social message theatre,” this production stands out as one of the most meaningful stage experiences of the year.

Raëll Padamsee’s Lasting Impact on Indian Theatre

Over the years, Raëll Padamsee has built more than productions. She has built confidence ecosystems.

Through ACE Productions, thousands of children have stepped onto a stage for the first time. Many discovered self-belief. Some discovered careers. All discovered voice.

Her theatre methodology emphasizes:

• Communication skills

• Emotional intelligence

• Collaboration

• Leadership development

• Empathy through storytelling

In an era dominated by short-form content and digital performance metrics, Padamsee remains committed to the power of live theatre as a transformative medium.

More Than a Play

Alice in Paradise is not just a theatrical event in Mumbai’s 2025 cultural calendar.

It is:

• A statement about inclusive education

• A reflection of modern childhood

• A blueprint for socially conscious theatre

• A celebration of collective creativity

Under Raëll Padamsee’s stewardship, the stage becomes more than a platform. It becomes a classroom, a community space and a mirror to society.

As the curtain falls, what lingers is not merely applause.

It is the quiet recognition that when children stand together without labels, without hierarchy, without division, we glimpse what a more compassionate future could look like.

And that is theatre at its most powerful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alice in Paradise by Raëll Padamsee’s ACE Productions 1. What is Alice in Paradise by Raëll Padamsee and how is it different from the original Alice in Wonderland?

Alice in Paradise is a contemporary re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland, conceptualized and produced by Raëll Padamsee under ACE Productions. Unlike the original fantasy narrative, this adaptation reflects the lived realities of children growing up in the digital age.

The production explores themes such as screen addiction, social media pressure, urban stress and the search for authentic human connection. Through symbolic worlds like Social Media Land, the Urban Jungle and True Paradise, the play reframes Alice’s journey as a psychological and emotional exploration relevant to modern childhood.

2. How does Alice in Paradise address screen addiction and social media pressure among children?

The production uses theatrical storytelling, choreography and ensemble performance to personify the emotional effects of excessive screen time and online validation culture.

Social Media Land represents a visually stimulating, fast-paced environment shaped by filters, comparison and digital approval. The narrative then contrasts this with the grounding experience of real-world connection in True Paradise.

By dramatizing these experiences on stage, the play creates awareness about digital dependency without demonizing technology, making it an educational and reflective experience for both children and parents.

3. Why is Alice in Paradise considered a strong example of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Indian theatre?

Alice in Paradise is widely recognized as a model for inclusive theatre in India because it integrates 150 children from mainstream schools and NGOs into a single collaborative production.

Participants include children from organizations such as CSED Agripada, Muktangan, Vatsalya, SEC, ADAPT, Pehchaan, My Udaan and Seva Sadan. Children from marginalized and differently-abled backgrounds are included as equal performers and storytellers rather than as symbolic additions.

This approach makes the production a practical demonstration of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the performing arts ecosystem.

4. Who is Raëll Padamsee and what is her contribution to educational theatre in India?

Raëll Padamsee is one of India’s leading theatre producers and education advocates. Through ACE Productions, she has spent decades using theatre as a medium for youth development, communication training and confidence building.

Her productions emphasize emotional intelligence, leadership skills, collaboration and creative expression. She is known for creating large-scale children’s theatre productions that combine professional execution with educational value.

Her work continues to shape the landscape of educational theatre in India.

5. Who directed and choreographed Alice in Paradise?

Alice in Paradise was directed by Craig Dquadros and choreographed by Shiamak Davar's Victory Foundation.

The collaboration between ACE Productions, Craig Dquadros and Shiamak Davar’s Victory Foundation ensured a production that balanced narrative depth with dynamic movement, ensemble choreography and stage precision.

6. Is Alice in Paradise suitable for families and schools looking for meaningful children’s theatre in Mumbai?

Yes. The production is specifically designed to engage children, parents and educators. It combines entertainment with social commentary, making it ideal for families seeking culturally enriching experiences and schools looking to expose students to theatre that addresses contemporary issues such as mental health, identity and digital balance.

The show’s inclusive cast and relevant themes make it particularly impactful for educational institutions exploring arts-based learning models.

7. How does participation in productions like Alice in Paradise benefit children?

Children involved in large-scale theatre productions gain:

• Public speaking confidence

• Team collaboration skills

• Emotional awareness

• Stage presence

• Leadership development

• Creative problem solving abilities

By integrating children from diverse socioeconomic and ability backgrounds, the production also fosters empathy and mutual respect, creating long-term social impact beyond the stage.

8. What makes Alice in Paradise relevant in 2025 and beyond?

In 2025, conversations around children’s mental health, digital overexposure and social comparison have intensified globally. Alice in Paradise addresses these concerns through live performance, offering a reflective counterbalance to digital life.

Its themes remain future-focused because technology, social media influence and identity formation will continue to shape childhood experiences for years to come.

9. Where can audiences learn more about Raëll Padamsee’s ACE Productions and upcoming theatre initiatives?

Information about upcoming productions, educational theatre workshops and youth performance programs can typically be accessed through ACE Productions’ official communication channels and theatre event listings in Mumbai.

Audiences interested in inclusive theatre, educational performance programs or children’s stage productions in India are encouraged to follow ACE Productions for updates on future initiatives.

10. Why is Alice in Paradise described as more than just a play?

The production is often described as more than a play because it functions simultaneously as:

• A theatrical experience

• A social awareness initiative

• A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion model

• An educational platform

• A youth empowerment program

Under Raëll Padamsee’s vision, theatre becomes a space where creativity intersects with compassion and performance intersects with purpose.