Book: Dennis Kelly
Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin
Writer: Roald Dahl
Director: Matthew Warchus
Matilda, the little girl who stands up to bullies, cruelty and injustice, has been beloved of children and adults since Roald Dahl’s book was published in 1988. She has survived an Americanised film adaptation (1996) and shifting views on her author’s language and world view. Today was World Book Day, and I’m sure schools throughout the land have yet again had their share of Matildas in school uniform, striking determined poses and righting wrongs.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s musical adaptation was first performed in 2010 and has been a fixture in the West End since 2011. The book, by Dennis Kelly, is largely faithful to Dahl’s original; Tim Minchin’s music and lyrics elevate this show to a sophistication and emotional depth that never talks down to the children in the audience while tackling big issues such as bullying and neglect. Of course, it also includes comedy, pantomime villains and enough colour and action to keep even the small children around me in the audience enthralled for over two hour and a half hours.
Matilda Wormwood has had the misfortune to be born to selfish and insensitive parents (played with energy and glee by Rebecca Thornhill and Adam Stafford) for whom she is an unwelcome intrusion into their lives, and a grave disappointment, not being a boy. She finds comfort in the world of books and storytelling, developing a prodigious intelligence with the encouragement of the local librarian. At 5, already reading Dickens and Dostoevsky, she becomes a pupil at Crunchem Hall, where the horrendous headmistress Miss Trunchbull rules with a rod of iron and a cavalier disregard for health and safety. A kind class teacher recognises Matilda’s remarkable intelligence, but her innate sense of fairness soon brings her into conflict with the appalling Trunchbull.
The real stars of the show here are the children, who are breathtakingly confident performers, especially in a string of complex group numbers. Peter Darling’s spiky choreography for them is all knees, elbows and energy, and also throws in synchronised swings, scooters and gym equipment. As far as I could see, no one put a foot wrong or missed a word. At the eye of the storm is Matilda, played tonight by Madison Davis (rotating in the role with Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara). She’s on stage almost throughout the whole show, often holding it alone with a clear, direct singing voice and presence. A force to be reckoned with by the adults around her, especially Miss Trunchbull (an unhinged performance by Richard Hurst in tweed and gym kit). Classmate Bruce Bogtrotter, who has an unfortunate penchant for chocolate cake, is played by another talented young actor, Carter-J Murphy (rotating with Oisin-Luca Pegg, Brodie Robson and Takunda Khumalo).
Amid the noise and the chaos, the central relationship of Matilda and teacher Miss Honey (Tessa Kadler) develops into the show’s emotional core. The joy of this show is the way it swings between pathos and slapstick, sometimes within a single musical number. Matilda, the little girl who won’t rest until what’s wrong is put right, will no doubt continue to inspire ‘maggots’ to revolt for years to come, and the standing ovation at tonight’s show was richly deserved by this company.
Runs until 22 March 2026 | Image: Contributed
