WHILE Harry and Zinnia Wormwood fail to take pride in their daughter Matilda’s great mind, playwright Dennis Kelly and lyricist Tim Minchin must be positively beaming at the sheer brilliance of their musical brainchild – which is just as intelligent and brimming with creative talent as the little girl at its centre.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl tale is even more loyal to the original story than the 1996 film – and arguably even more devilishly funny.
It tells the story of an unappreciated five-year-old girl with hyper intelligence and a big imagination – oh, and the power to move things with her eyes.
Her love of books is mocked by her parents, and her intellect is deplored by her wicked headteacher Agatha Trunchbull, but she finds a friend in her new class teacher Miss Honey, who had a turbulent childhood of her own.
Now the musical has arrived at Birmingham Hippodrome, with performances running to September 8.
Nearly eight million people have watched Matilda the Musical since it first opened in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010. And it’s no wonder the production has gone on to win more than 85 international awards.
The show is impossible to fault, with its exceptionally gifted cast, simple staging cleverly utilised throughout, and slick choreography.
Fans of Tim Minchin won’t be disappointed by his childishly witty lyrics, with songs like ‘Revolting Children’ giving children and adults alike a giggle.
Craige Els stole the show as Miss Trunchbull, excellently capturing the manic, ferocious personality portrayed by Pam Ferris in the film adaptation, while at the same time making the villain so ridiculous that she becomes irresistibly likeable.
But Els’ performance by no means shadowed that of little Lara Cohen, who commanded the stage with her confidence, big voice, enchanting storytelling and determination to do what’s right – even if it means being a little bit naughty.
I’m sure this wasn’t the first time she received a standing ovation at curtain call.
All in all, the musical is a joy to watch from start to finish. It recreates all the childlike magic of the book, with a slightly darker undertone and plenty of jokes for the grown-ups.
You’re bound to leave the theatre feeling uplifted – albeit slightly rebellious.
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