Matilda Jr

‘Attention, Maggots!’ … Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda the Musical Jr’, is based on the book by Dennis Kelly with Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin.  Matilda is a young lady who has astonishing wit, intelligence and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents, but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves punishing those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!

‘Matilda’ was played very well by Sophie Finlay. Sophie looked totally confident throughout, blessed with good stage presence and a good singing voice and stood up well to her overbearing and cruel parents.  Louis Gregory played Matilda’s not so truthful, not so bright father, ‘Mr. Wormwood’.  Again, another with good stage presence and created a believable character.  Mrs Wormwood’ played by Charlotte Fowle, confident throughout, captured her character perfectly and great mannerisms.  Harry Hodey took on the role of the ‘terrifying tyrant’ that is Miss Trunchbull. Another with good stage presence, good characterisation and brought the character to life, loved the scene where ‘Amanda’ (Isabella Devito) was swung around by her pigtails, looked very realistic, well done!   Anya Stevart played Mrs Phelps, the kind-hearted Librarian who becomes friends with Matilda. Anya created a believable character.  Thomas Donno played our cake eating ‘Bruce’; confident, good stage presence, did a really good job navigating the ‘cake eating scene’.   Harriet Taggart was the ‘perfect fit’ for the role of ‘Miss Honey’.  Confident, stage presence aplenty, always in character and an amazing singing voice. Act 2 began with the well-known ‘When I Grow Up’ which was performed well with some nice harmony. The other well-known number is of course ‘Revolting Children’ another company number that was very powerful. Well done to all of the wonderful cast you all performed brilliantly and should be very proud of yourselves.

The set worked very well, it was well designed, and the stage crew did a great job. There were superb projected images of self-writing on the board which enhanced the production so much.  Lighting and Sound was effective, but we did have one or two issues with the sound, but it was minimal and did not affect the overall performance. The use of an excellent live orchestra helped with timings during the scene changes and was a fabulous experience for the young cast.

  There is little doubt that Young Expressions Youth Theatre Group are blessed with a cast of talented young people. Youth Theatre could not happen without the dedication of the people that keep this group running, so well done to each and every one of you. Without your support and commitment, those young people would not have the same opportunities to further their passions!  Congratulations to all involved.

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