Matilda

Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” been with us in some form since 1988. First, the book; then the musical followed by a film. This is the first time that I have seen it in any form.

This society has put on many children’s productions in the past and this one was yet again up to their usual high standard. With a cast of fifty-eight aged between six and seventeen, the Director and Musical Director had a complex task on their hands. I believe that this is the first time for this group that there was no live band as all the music came on a backing track. The musical complexities of the music and the minor keys in which it is written were obviously well taught by Musical Director, Daniel Paine. The words were clear and the harmony sections sung very well. Director, Julie Jordan, achieved wonders throughout as the aforementioned fifty-eight young persons came back and forth though the auditorium and also by having them at the small area at the rear of the stage whilst maintaining silence when there were more serious dialogue scenes.

The titular character, Matilda (Nina Ansted), apart from singing delightfully, took us through the double and combined storyline of the Acrobat (Alice Godden) and the Escapologist (Ellie Leaver) in order to reveal to us the link between the final solution of Matilda being looked after by Miss Honey (Lizzie O’Haire) after their appalling treatment by the dreadful Agatha Trunchball (Dominic Watson).  Matilda’s uncaring parents, (Mr and Mrs Wormwood) had several scenes and were portrayed well by  Bradley Bullimore and Izzie Steadman-Taylor. There were other cameo parts at different points of the story - too many to mention by name - but all played  really well and enjoyed greatly by us, their audience. What was also most entertaining were the ensemble numbers with the whole cast on stage and the simple but effective moves, sways, hand gestures etc. to enhance the singing of these particular songs.  

The scenery was pared back to the sides of the stage and the very back in order to accommodate the large cast. The incidental scenes for the story-telling were cleverly housed in the corners and spotlighted. Most of the costumes were purely children’s school uniforms but the adult costumes  were by the efficient wardrobe team.  

Congratulations to all the cast, back-stage crew and production team for a highly enjoyable evening and a hope to the many helpers and chaperones that they were also able to avail themselves of a chance to see this happy and worthwhile production.  

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