Alice in Wonderland receives a Royal Premiere in London

Tim Burton's long-awaited 3D film version of Alice in Wonderland had its premiere on 25 February in London's Leicester Square, in front of an audience including HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. Shot partly on location in England, but with Burton's signature fantastical set-pieces, the Disney production features a remarkable cast including long-time collaborator Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar and Christopher Lee as the Jabberwock.
In Burton's film, 19-year-old Alice, played by newcomer Mia Wasikowska, flees her engagement party and stumbles down a rabbit hole into the magical world she first discovered as a young girl. Things have changed since Alice's last visit, with the 'Red Queen' having taken control of 'Underland'.

(Footnote - a review from The Huffington Post)


Last surviving Mitford sister celebrates 90th birthday
Exhibition at Chatsworth honours Dowager Duchess of Devonshire

On 14 March, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire will open an exhibition at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire to celebrate her 90th birthday.
Born Deborah Mitford, the Duchess is the youngest and last surviving of the six Mitford sisters, who played such a prominent role in 20th-century life and letters. 'Celebrating Deborah Devonshire' will contain personal material and photographs recording her remarkable life and her friendships with noted politicians, writers and artists. The opening of the exhibition, which will run from 14 March until 31 October 2010, coincides with the re-opening of Chatsworth after its most extensive renovation since the 19th century. To read more about the exhibition and the house click here.

The above two stories from The Folio Society, publishing beautiful books since 1947.