“Alice and the Wonders of the Borderline”: A theatrical journey into the human mind

The classic universe of "Alice in Wonderland" serves as the starting point for one of the most original offerings in contemporary Mexican theater. "Alice and the Wonderland of Borderline " is not a literal adaptation, but rather a reinterpretation that, through staging, transforms the well-known story into a contemporary and interesting metaphor for mental health, emotional disorders, and the search for self-acceptance : knowing ourselves.

Written, directed, produced and starring Génesis Valencia, the play has been running uninterruptedly in Mexico City for seven years and now continues its national tour with a performance in Guadalajara, for the first time, next Saturday, August 16 at the Galerías Theater .

“The main message of this work was to help people who suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and also to help more people who suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety, emotional codependency, narcissism, among others,” said director Génesis Valencia, in an interview with EL INFORMADOR .

"It's a theatrical performance that explores the lives of people with disorders. We used the world of 'Alice in Wonderland' as a metaphor. Alice's journey through the rabbit hole symbolizes the descent into darkness and the confrontation with one's own emotions."

“Alice and the Wonders of Borderline” follows “Alice,” a young woman on the brink of suicide who falls into an abyss that transports her to a surreal world. In this universe, each character represents a mental disorder or a borderline emotional experience : the “Caterpillar” embodies nymphomania and addiction; the “Hatter” symbolizes inner voices, schizophrenia, and delusions; the “Queen” represents narcissism, while other characters allude to excessive daydreaming, emotional codependency, psychopathy, or depression.

“It's important to note that everything seen in the play is based on true stories,” shares Génesis Valencia. “We worked with psychologists, therapists, and people who shared their experiences with us to understand what it's really like to live with these conditions. The play seeks to convey a message beyond the stigma, delving into the heart of each story.”

Heal, raise awareness and learn

In that sense, far from stigmatizing, the proposal seeks to generate empathy and understanding with the audience. With a narrative laden with symbolism and moments that oscillate between the comic and the emotional, "Alice and the Wonders of Borderline " invites viewers to reflect on their own wounds and internal processes. Genesis confessed that the overall experience has been healing for her, who lived with BPD without knowing it; the diagnosis and understanding were fundamental to understanding herself better , and it has been deeply enriching for her as a director and actress to see that it has been so for the audience as well.

“Bringing all of this to the theater has been profoundly healing, conveying the message that we must embrace ourselves, even with everything we carry. Conditions, in a way, are created to protect us. For example, depression may be saying, 'Get out of there, that's not your path, find something that makes you happy.' Anxiety and codependency also speak to childhood wounds and the need to learn to love oneself. The audience leaves moved; some cry, others laugh, because we also have comedic moments, and very hard scenes, like when we deal with sexual abuse. In the end, the play leaves a message of transformation, self-love, and rebuilding .”

“The audience is very close to us: some share that they also have BPD or other disorders; others come up on stage to hug us; some simply say thank you. Mothers with children come, entire families seeking to better understand a loved one. Some share their testimonies, and by listening to them, others realize they are not alone.”

Art to confront the evils of the present

"Alice and the Wonders of the Borderline" takes on greater relevance in these times when anxiety, depression, and sadness are the order of the day, in societies that push us toward isolation. The work emerges as one of the purposes of art: to look within ourselves, to explore and get to know ourselves, even when it's dark and frightening, and from this, to heal.

“When we started seven years ago, these themes weren't as prevalent as they are now,” recalls Génesis Valencia. “After the pandemic, something happened: confinement, the loss of loved ones, and isolation led to an increase in depression, anxiety, and the need for psychological help. It's not that they didn't exist before, but they were talked about much less, and we hardly ever went to the psychologist. Now there's more awareness and knowledge about mental health. Thus, a completely new story was born, with original texts, but using the metaphor of 'Alice' to give it a touch of fantasy. I felt that if we talked about mental disorders directly, people might resist seeing them; instead, through a fantasy world, it would be easier to connect.”

With more than two hundred performances under its belt, "Alice and the Wonders of Borderline " arrives in Guadalajara for the first time with the promise of striking a chord and leaving an emotional mark on those who witness it. It's an opportunity to laugh, cry, reflect, and, above all, look at oneself with greater compassion. The play is recommended for teens and adults because it addresses topics such as sexual abuse, addiction, and mental health with a direct and artistic approach, in a production that combines theatrical aesthetics, music, and a visual universe inspired by surrealism.

“Coming to Guadalajara is very exciting for us. We've been to Cuernavaca, Aguascalientes, Querétaro, Pachuca… but Guadalajara was a special destination, a place that made us both nervous and excited. We'll be at the Galerías Theater, where great plays are presented, and that fills us with pride. We invite everyone to see 'Alice and the Wonders of Borderland,' a play that will touch your heart and that, even if it's just a small contribution, can help you,” concludes Génesis Valencia.

Theater and mental health

The premiere of "Alice and the Borderlands" will be on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., at the Galerías Theater. Tickets are now available, priced from 500 to 840 pesos.

CT