Matilda Jr

I think anyone would agree to produce a show in one week is a very ambitious task to set oneself, but this is just what Hornsea ATS Kids did and boy did they come up with the goods.

The organisers held auditions a week prior to the February half-term break and managed to cast the whole show, they then all met again on the Monday of the holiday to start rehearsals and bring Matilda to life.

Things, however, did not go smoothly and a couple of key players tested positive for Covid-19, one of them being the young lad who was to play Miss Trunchbull, as we all know a key player in this piece of theatre.

In stepped Joe Jenney to play this iconic role and a brilliant job he did too, I cannot imagine anyone else in this part, he was superb and managed to gather all the humour needed to develop this very strange teacher.

HATS Kids had a total of 43 youngsters on stage everyone playing their respective parts which added to finished result.

Mr & Mrs Wormwood, the parents of Matilda were played effortlessly by Noah Bloomfield and Freya Poole respectively and both of these were able to keep their characters going all the way through without going over the top which is something very easily done with parts such as these. It can also be said of Michael, Matilda’s bother, a typical layabout young lad who only had the odd word to say, something which some may think an easy part to play but as we all know you have to keep your wits about you for this type of character and make sure you do not “drift off” whilst waiting for your next cue.

All the students in Matilda’s school, again played by the kids, were able to add to the overall enjoyment of this piece and it was good to see them not only playing their respective parts but also being used to bring on the various items of scenery and props to ensure the action ran very smoothly.

The character of Miss Honey is a very sweet young teacher who works in the school ran by Miss Trunchbull and as we see is often bullied by this formidable “lady” which become more apparent why as the story unfolds. Maisy Wilson was perfect who has a lovely singing voice which combined with her acting ability was able to pull this part off.

What can we say about the title role of Matilda? This is a young woman who knows where she is going and actually likes school despite her dysfunctional family especially her father who continue to refer to as a boy, each time Matilda replies with “I’m a girl!” whilst raising her eyebrows. Take a bow Lacey Tomkins who was absolutely brilliant in this part, delivering her lines with clarity and the correct inflection needed to give this part life. Lacey had some great facial expressions especially when on stage with her family and it was often questioned who the parent was and who was the child.

Congratulations must go to production team Ian Thompson, Mollie Swinden and Olivia Thompson who not only had the vision to develop this piece of theatre but who also spent their week’s holiday ensuring the children not only had a great time but were also able to deliver an astounding piece of entertainment for the near full audience.

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