Matilda Jr.

It was an absolute treat to see so much young talent on the stage at Lewes this Autumn.  It augurs well for the continued success of LOS Musical Theatre with so many youngsters taking an avid interest in performing and hopefully going on as adults to enrich the Society in the future.

One can rely on anything written by Roald Dhal to be entertaining and this musical version of Matilda had everything to keep an audience extremely well entertained.

There were so many named parts in the production as well as the ensemble that it would be difficult to name everyone but suffice it to say that all involved on the stage gave everything they had to this very lively performance.

Matilda herself was a little girl from a dreadful family who certainly did not appreciate her cleverness, believing her intelligence and a love of books to be unnatural.  What they didn’t know was that she had special powers and was able to turn right from wrong.  Scarlett Hiles played Matilda in great style, giving us a young person who apart from being clever was able to be just a little bit naughty when the occasion arose!

Her family, Mr & Mrs Wormwood and Michael her spoilt brother, were the characters you loved to hate with Mr Wormwood and his dodgy business deals, Mrs Wormwood (intent on being incredibly glamorous (or so she thought!) and Michael whose only interest was in watching TV.  The casting for this family was ideal as Elijah Blundell, Ella Scott and Alfred Lucas really brought their unlikeable characters to life.

Matilda visited the Library frequently as you can imagine and formed a friendship with the Librarian, Mrs Phelps played by Phoebe Scott, who was enchanted by the stories that Matilda made up.  We were treated to her story of the Acrobat and the Escapologist which was brought to life vividly by Rowan Armstrong-Saunders and Samuele Scarpelli.

So Matilda goes to school and meets the adorable Miss Honey (Holly Hewes) who was so kind to the new girl and immediately appreciated her intelligence.  And then of course we meet Miss Trunchbull, the Headmistress who hated children and treated them brutally – the worst punishment (usually for something they hadn’t done) was to be put in the Chokey.  Emily Casterton obviously revelled in this part as the biggest baddie of all time!

The whole piece was packed with amazing movement and excellent singing from all, working with a well designed set and props to match and ideal costumes organised by the Wardrobe Team.   As there were so many youngsters on stage, a large team of chaperones was necessary headed by Liz Kaye and they, and everyone working backstage made everything go smoothly.

Duncan Taylor-Jones, responsible for Publicity & Programme Design, certainly came up with an excellent souvenir programme full of interesting information and photography and if I could have 5 copies at some time, I can ensure it’s entered into the NODA Programme Competition.

Director and Choreographer Star Bray with her Assistant Eleanor Simmonds, Musical Director Carl Greenwood and Deputy Musical Director Sam Hile are all to be congratulated for putting all these talented young people on the stage in a never to be forgotten production of Matilda the Musical Jnr.  I am sure we will see a good many of these youngsters treading the boards in years to come and I sincerely hope so.        

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