Matilda Jr

I knew before I arrived that this was a sellout performance so I was part of a large expectant audience, we were not to be disappointed.

The curtains opened to reveal a white box set with hinged side flats all colourfully decorated with multi-sized colourful letter, those either side of the ‘proscenium’ arch spelling out Matilda with the back wall in my imagination forming the shape of a tree with a jumble of letter going up and out like the trunk and branches of a tree (alternatively a whirlpool of letters going down a spout into a plughole). The set was lit by an imaginative lighting plot with the good use of colour changing LED strip units, this was most effective with the red.

We were instantly introduced to the kids with the well sung opening number of ‘Miracle’ with some lovely roles from Joscelyn Taylor (Erica), Jacob Marshall (Tommy), Emily Casey (Amanda), Maggie Whiting (Alice), Sophie Mycock (Hortensia), Edison Culy (Nigel) and Brandon Green (Bruce). These youngsters were the principal youngsters who supported Matilda through- out the show, they were well disciplined and spoke and sang clearly throughout. Brandon as Bruce was as good as I expected, nicely sung and good facial expressions and characterisation, in the number ‘Bruce’ with the cake eating routine he acted this out very entertainingly and convincingly.

We then met Matilda and her family; the central role of Matilda performed by Freya Pontin. Freya performed her role very well, achieving a good characterisation, whether narrating a tale in the ‘Acrobat Story’, singing her eponymous number ‘Matilda’ where we heard her singing talents and her whole presence on stage holding the audience’s attention, good clear dialogue throughout. Freya worked well with Miss Honey, her parents and Miss Trunchball.

Dylan Whiting and Emily Hooker played great character roles as Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, bringing great humour and performance to the stage, these two were both well suited to their roles and performed them with panache. I did feel a bit sorry for Gracie Blackshields as Michael, but with her limited dialogue (backwards) she kept to the role very well. There were three great little cameos from Dulcie Garton (Mrs. Phelps) Alex Waterman (Escapologist and Rudolpho) and Maddie Jackson (Acrobat) again good dialogue and Alex showed off his dancing skills individually to the delight of the audience and partnering Maddie with a twirl or two.

Two young actresses who competed for the honours of star of the show alongside Freya were the sympathetic portrayal of Miss Honey by Harriet Pooley and the brutish portrayal of Miss Trunchbull by Sophie Briffitt, these two had great stage presence for their respective characters, well performed, great dialogue and good singing. Miss Honey’s song ‘The Little Girl’ was nicely sung as was Miss Trunchbull’ singing of both ‘The Hammer’ and 'The Smell of Rebellion’ which was also a great company number

There were really good costumes throughout the show, scene changes were generally quick and the sets were quickly moved around by the cast, the use of black blocks throughout was imaginative. There were a couple of issues with back stage noise drifting into the auditorium, the only other comment I have about staging was the short scene where Matilda doctored the shampoo which was kept very centre stage left so that I didn’t realise immediately what was happening.

There was an energetic company to support all the above with good singing and well performed dance routines, some of which were very energetic, all these youngsters looked as though they were really enjoying themselves. The audience as well as myself greatly enjoyed the show and showed their appreciation at the end. Congratulations to Debbie and Francis and all the work put into this show by the large production team.

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