Matilda JR

There is little doubt that Youth Acts UP have many talented young people, but to nurture that talent and provide guidance both on and off stage, requires experienced role models and they are blessed to have Becky Smith and Carol Hebbard together with Drama Coach Beverley Dean who is assisted by Sophie Rutterford and Evie Bennett and, for this production of Matilda JR, Singing Coaches Graham Brown and Mel Day

Little Downham Village Hall provides its own challenges stage-wise but Director and Choreographer Becky Smith together with Carol Hebbard know how to produce some great scenery and a lot of work had gone into the simple setting. It was well thought out, effective and contained all it needed. Scenes were changed by the cast without any fuss. Sound was set at a good level and there was some effective lighting (by JR Sound & Lighting) and the magic writing worked! Costumes were good and well managed.

This is not an easy show for youngsters which included no less than eight company numbers which were sung and choreographed well. The opening number ‘Miracle’ got the show off to an excellent start and Matilda’s ‘Naughty’ was extremely well sung.

There was a good principal line up. ‘Matilda’ played by Chloe Hind was impressive.  This young actress maintained the character throughout the show. Dialogue was beautifully delivered and musicality good. A young actress to look out for in the future. Parents ‘Mr and Mrs Wormwood’ played by Shane Gray and Eva Proctor were suitably vindictive and unappreciative of their talented daughter, both impressively dressed. Emily Ashton played the gormless ‘Michael’ just right.

‘Matilda’ shared her love for books with the librarian ‘Mrs Phelps’, nicely played by Tiffany Fuggle.  I enjoyed the story telling, revolving around the ‘Escapologist’ and ‘Acrobat’ played well by Macey Arnold and Grace Butcher .  ‘Matilda’s saviour was teacher ‘Miss Honey’ played with a lovely disposition by Brooke Ashton, who also sang ‘This Little Girl’ well.  Caitlin Bryant as the overbearing ‘Miss Trunchbull’ had the scariest eyebrows I have ever seen which certainly gave her a frightening presence, forever admonishing the kids for no reason but clearly enjoying it. Well done to Emma Dewsbury as ‘Bruce’ devouring the cake!

Many in the cast had a named role but there just wouldn’t be room to mention them all. Every member of the cast embodied their role, however small, from the moment they stepped on stage.  Dialogue was well paced with clear diction. Songs and choreography were delivered with confidence.

It’s not easy to sing to recorded music but it was obvious it was well learnt, well timed and sung without hesitation.  'Naughty’ was a great company number.  ‘When I Grow up’  was uplifting with some nice harmony and Miss Trunchbull led the children with a very good number ‘The Smell of Rebellion’.  The final number ‘Revolting Children’ lived up to its well-known reputation, sang with great energy by the company which almost brought the house down.   

Congratulations to all involved with this impressive production which deserved the standing ovation

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