A MUSEUM is adding some classic storytelling fun to its summer season with an Alice in Wonderland courtroom scene to get visitors involved in history.

The Ripon Courthouse Museum was inspired by the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Lewis Carroll story to create a courtroom drama involving the wicked Queen of Hearts, who has accused the Knave of Hearts of stealing her jam tarts.

Visitors can join the Cheshire Cat in the jury and listen to key witnesses the Cook, the Knave, Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee, before making a decision on the fate of the Knave.

Katy O’Malley, from Ripon Museums – which also include the Police and Prison Museum and Workhouse Museum – said staff and volunteers had a lot of fun in putting together the short interactive play.

“The jury can decide if the Knave is guilty or not guilty, and if she is guilty, what the punishment should be – they can chose between whipping in the market place, transporting to Australia, or hard labour.”

The courtroom drama was written by volunteers and is played by former staff of the courthouse as well as staff and volunteers.

Ms O’Malley added: “Next week at the Police and Prison Museum we will be looking at crime and punishment - we will have the stocks up, people can have a go at finger-printing, see what a dark cell was like, as well as all the gruesome punishments people had in Victorian times.”

For a full timetable of events visit riponmuseums.co.uk.