How quickly fifteen years have flown. It’s hard to believe that Matilda: The Musical has now been delighting audiences for over a decade, as it doesn’t seem that long ago that we first saw it during its original run at the RSC Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Looking back now feels quite surreal. The talented children who brought the story to life back then are all grown up, with many going on to enjoy hugely successful careers. Our Matilda was Kerry Ingram, who has since appeared in Game of Thrones and Wolf Hall. It’s almost impossible to believe she’s now 27 years old – a reminder of just how timeless this extraordinary musical has become.
Matilda: The Musical has always held a special place in our hearts. In fact, it’s probably our favourite musical of all the productions we’ve been lucky enough to see over the years. It also has a deeply personal connection for our family, as it was the inspiration behind our eldest daughter’s name. Simply put, we love Matilda – and every time we see it, we’re reminded exactly why.
We were also lucky enough to get a sneak preview of Matilda: The Musical in Manchester not too long ago, where we had the chance to chat with Richard Hurst and Tessa Kadler, who play the formidable Miss Trunchbull and the wonderfully kind Miss Honey, along with Alan Stafford and Rebecca Thornhill as the hilariously awful Mr and Mrs Wormwood (you can see these conversations over on our instagram account http://www.instagram.com/smallhousebigtrips
It was a real pleasure to see them all again here in Birmingham, and it’s clear they’re having just as much fun on stage as they were when we met them. Their energy, chemistry and enjoyment shine through, making each performance a joy to watch.
Its tough to say who steals the show because all four of the main grown-ups are wonderful at what they do. I do think that Miss Trunchbull gets the best lines from the grown ups and its clear that Richard Hurst relishes being able to be SO MEAN AND HORRIBLE to all of the maggots that cross the path of the Trunchbull. Oh, I must give a shout out to Ryan Lay who plays Rudolpho, the dance partner of Mrs Wormwood. He’s not on stage for long, but he absolutely makes the most of his time. Brilliantly funny and silly – making the whole theatre laugh.
The magic starts before the show has even begun. As soon as you walk into the theatre, your eyes are drawn straight to the stage. The set is incredible, packed with clever little details and hidden nods to the story that fans of Matilda will love spotting. It’s one of those sets you could happily spend ages looking at before the lights even go down.
As the story unfolds, the stage transforms effortlessly into everything from the library and Crunchem Hall to Miss Honey’s cosy cottage and the Wormwoods’ chaotic living room.
The music is ridiculously good. I’d happily go as far as saying Matilda has one of the best musical theatre soundtracks I’ve ever heard. Every song is catchy, memorable and brilliantly written, but it’s when you really listen to the lyrics that you appreciate just how clever Tim Minchin’s writing is. They’re witty, playful and packed with ingenious wordplay that appeals to both children and adults.
The live orchestra deserves just as much praise. The music is performed so flawlessly that, at times, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were listening to the original cast recording. It sounds every bit as rich, polished and powerful, bringing Tim Minchin’s unforgettable score to life in spectacular fashion. to tell the difference to the soundtrack album.
This evening’s Matilda was Sanna Kurihara, a hugely talented young performer who brought sensitivity, vulnerability, warmth and just the right amount of quiet determination to the role. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, she completely commanded the audience’s attention. Her performance was confident, heartfelt and effortlessly believable.
While the grown-ups around her – with the exception of the wonderfully kind Miss Honey – are larger-than-life, outrageous caricatures, Matilda remains the heart of the story. She’s kind, thoughtful and fiercely intelligent, with an unwavering sense of fairness and justice that leaves her selfish parents exasperated and the fearsome Miss Trunchbull utterly infuriated. It’s this contrast that makes her such a compelling character, and Sanna captures it beautifully.
Pixie Pettigrew was Lavender, who appoints herself as the best friend of Matilda and bought a wonderful mix of cheek and sassiness to the role, Beatrice Clark was our Amanda who had the most spectacular stunt scene and Oisin-Luca Pegg was Bruce tonight and gave an incredible performance of the reprise of one of the best songs in the show – Revolting Children.
The ensemble cast of kids are all just astonishingly good. There is a hugely enjoyable sequence in the gym hall where they all get to show off their personalities and individuality. I’m amazed at how good they all are. It’s also worth mentioning that the demanding roles of Matilda and Bruce are shared by multiple young performers throughout the run. The role of Matilda is performed in rotation by Madison Davis, Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara, while Bruce is shared by Oisin-Luca Pegg, Carter-J Murphy, Brodie Robson and Takunda Khumalo. Judging by Sanna’s performance this evening, the standard is exceptionally high, and it’s a testament to the talent and dedication of the entire young cast.
Matilda: The Musical is an absolute juggernaut of musical theatre. Packed with Tim Minchin’s unforgettable songs, a brilliantly witty script and exceptional performances, it’s easy to see why it has won so many awards and continues to captivate audiences 15 years after it first premiered. It remains one of the finest musicals of the past two decades, and this latest touring production proves exactly why.
If you haven’t seen it before – or you’ve only experienced the film adaptation – don’t miss the opportunity to see it live. The magic, energy and emotion of the stage production simply can’t be replicated on screen.
The Birmingham audience rewarded the cast and crew with a thoroughly deserved standing ovation, and I have no doubt they’ll be receiving the same reaction throughout the show’s run at the Hippodrome. Matilda: The Musical is there until 2 August, so don’t leave it too late… or it might just be the Chokey for you.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The must-see family musical of the summer.
Book your tickets here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/matilda-the-musical/
Disclaimer; We were invited along to the Birmingham Hippodrome media night. All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.