By Simone Medonos
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the perfect mix of treacly mischief and bookishness.
In its first UK and Ireland tour, adapted by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, the multi-award winning Matilda The Musical tells of a young girl with a fine intellect, vivid imagination and a strong will who is belittled by her parents and terrifying headmistress. She decides to take matters into her own hands and stands up to them by being a little bit naughty.
From the start of the show we are treated to an imaginative set and the faultless angular choreography of Peter Darling; the children in the cast irresistibly shine with their perfectly timed and highly energetic stomps and skips.
Minchin’s music is melodic and moreish with ‘Miracle’, ‘Naughty’, and ‘When I grow up’ sticking to your brain like the chewing gum under your school desk.
Elliott Harper as Ms Trunchbull, the former Olympic hammer throwing headmistress strikes the perfect balance between the terrifying and the hilarious whilst swinging small children around her head by their pigtails and locking them in her terrible prison ‘chokey’.
The talented Scarlett Cecil shines as Matilda, keeping the audience engaged whilst her obnoxious parents, spectacularly played by Rebecca Thornhill and Sebastien Torkia torment her enough that she even manifests a telekinetic power which she puts to naughty use.
Carly Thoms is the lovely and courageous Miss Honey; a believably sweet yet strong companion and protector for the pint sized heroine.
The show is underpinned by Matilda’s imaginative love stories of the Escapologist and his Acrobatic wife that she tells to the vivacious librarian, played by Michelle Chantelle Hopewell. Finally her dream comes true and Miss Honey and Matilda come to each other’s rescue reminding us that good and individuality can still conquer even in a world apparently gone wrong.
(C) Manuel Harlan (C) Manuel Harlan
Matilda is a must see for old and young alike and you don’t even need a child in tow. Catch Trunchbull’s hammer throwing antics at the Edinburgh Playhouse until 27th April 2019. Tickets here – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/matilda/edinburgh-playhouse/
