Wonderland in St Andrews: A Review of the Christmas Ball

Sophie Rose Jenkins

Balls in St Andrews are a perfect representation of the bewildering nature of The Bubble – amongst hundreds of people crammed on a dance floor, you will still bump into everyone you know. But back in November, we were enchanted out of the winter drizzle and down an even wilder rabbit hole into the curiouser and curiouser world of Wonderland for the Mermaids Christmas Ball. 

Six impossible things hanging from the rafters in the Forest and Gardens. Photo credit: Sophie Rose Jenkins.

Attendees jumped at the opportunity to pull out their most extravagant wardrobe pieces, creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere. The St Andrews uniform of Longchamp handbags and Barbour jackets was swapped out for eclectic and whimsical outfits that transported the bubble into the King and Queen of Hearts’ royal court, chasing crooked top hats and multi-patterned waistcoats down a fully realised Rabbit Hole.  

Students were truly transported down the Rabbit Hole. Photo credit: Sophie Rose Jenkins.

From the 10-foot Christmas tree looming over the photobooth area to the minute touches (don’t think I wouldn’t appreciate the simplicity of crepe paper and fairy lights on the bannisters), each of the creatively-named zones was fully decked out – though in almost stark contrast to the expectations established in the vision board. The Forest and Gardens had lit Christmas trees hanging from rafters and more crepe paper crafted into large flowers lining the walkway. The dancefloor and main stage became The Pool of Tears - perhaps a fitting name for the location of the many sins witnessed by St Andrews nightlife devotees.  

Down The Rabbit Hole was the marquee - or Mad Hatter’s Tea Party - a dialled-down but equally beautiful area equipped with a smaller Christmas tree, tables upon tables of free water (a very considerate ball essential), and plenty of seating to watch some quieter music acts or back-to-back showings of the Alice films. The thought that went into creating an inclusive space was a perfect use of the committee’s creativity and a more relaxed environment did not negate experience. The main trouble here was, as I unfortunately discovered, it closed early, so the overwhelm from the crowd and the sheer heat of the event became inescapable. 

The marquee became a sky full of stars under which to watch the film showings. Photo credit: Sophie Rose Jenkins

It wouldn’t be a ball without live student performers, and the mood was set from pre-event as a variety of well-established groups played to a bustling main bar. Sadly, we were robbed of the dulcet tones of the a cappella groups as the lack of microphones meant that their careful harmonies were drowned out by the general hubbub of excitement for the main event. 

The main stage, however, was a different story entirely. The music ruled the event and whilst I wrecked my voice simply to say hello, I’m not mad about it if we heard the wonderful student bands. Each main event act had about an hour and fifteen minutes to do their thing, but some dragged more than others. As partial as I am to a Jazz Night, the lack of lyrics and lower energy of the music drew a lot of people away from the dance floor at peak party time as all guests had finished arriving. 

Since Juniper perform in the Pool of Tears. Photo credit: Sophie Rose Jenkins.

What makes Christmas Ball so unique is its link to Mermaids Performing Arts, and a host of entertainers around the event added to the magic, with popular on-the-spot caricatures creating a queue that dominated the marquee. Student actors showed their versatility, bringing characters from Alice in Wonderland to life before our very eyes. Immersive theatre is no mean feat, but with fabulous casting in Ona Wright as the Mad Hatter, Eva Rieckewald as the White Rabbit, Keenan Parker as the Queen of Hearts, and Iha Jha as Alice herself, the characters commanded their space and weaved among dancing students in a wondrous combination of Wonderland and St Andrews reality. 

Whilst the short wait in the bus queue began the night with a very impressed reviewer, the long queues and jostling crowds brought me quickly back to common ball expectations. At the end of one lengthy queue, however, were affordable drinks for no more than £6. I was slightly more considerate of my liver, however, and I can attest that the £3 specialty mocktails (particularly the “Enchanted Orchard Fizz”) were delicious. Following my stomach into the rain, I wasn’t disappointed by the food trucks, and the pricing wasn’t the worst I’ve seen at a ball, with good greasy grub to stave off the hunger of dancing until 2am.  

After staying for almost the entire event and joining in an impromptu Footloose line dance, I left feeling thoroughly fulfilled, ready for the holidays and festive period. Despite the gap between expectations and the big night, the sheer energy and familiar sociability of students, my final exhaustion was not from the heat but laughter and joy. Maybe everyone is all mad here.