Down the rabbit hole—V&A brings Alice in Wonderland to life in virtual reality sneak preview

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has a treat in store for fans of Lewis Carroll’s head-spinning surreal story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Curators at the museum will give a taster of its forthcoming show Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser (27 March-31 December) in a virtual reality public event scheduled for 22 October. This sneak preview of the exhibition, co-created by HTC Vive Arts, promises to bring milieux and exhibits to life, guided by the show’s curator Kate Bailey. “Embracing the dreamlike qualities of the classic novel, the setting will transform and adapt throughout the preview, including live visual effects such as the pool of tears and a hallway of doors,” a statement says. Participants will be able to join the event as avatars though sign-up is required in advance. Audiences can also take part through the VR platform Engage using a Windows PC or Android device (or alternatively join a Recorded Live of the event to be broadcast on the V&A’s YouTube). One word of advice—look out for the White Rabbit and steer clear of the Queen of Hearts!