Matilda jr

Matilda Jr., a youth musical production staged and performed by Aspire Performing Arts Academy at The Brindley Theatre, High Street, Runcorn on Tuesday 31st March 2026.

My very first visit to The Brindley Theatre, and what an incredible facility it is — made even better by the warm, welcoming theatre staff. The only challenge I had was actually finding the venue, so I turned to the Sat Nav for help… which was fine until we were half way across the Mersey Gateway Bridge, with the Mersey looming large a hundred feet of so below ... Sat Nav suddenly ‘pipes up’ that we had “reached our destination! With water on both sides and nothing but air beneath us, I certainly hoped not!

I think most of us know the basic story of Roald Dahl’s Matilda: a girl with “special powers,” astonishing wit and remarkable intelligence who dreams of a better life. Unloved at home by cruel parents, she finds kindness and solace in her schoolteacher, Miss Honey. Despite her brilliance, school isn’t exactly smooth sailing, and her battles with the formidable headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, are legendary. What becomes of Matilda in the end… well, that’s a story many of us already know!

The Production Team …  wow what a challenge ... navigating safely, fifty-two young actors, some as young as four, many 5, 6 and 7 around such a busy stage with tables coming on, tables going off, sets coming in, sets going out, mostly completed by those same young actors ... oh YES and someone ‘flying’... those challenges and the safety aspects taken on by Nicole Fagan (Director/Choreographer /Musical Director) and her team... Katriana Houghton & Connor Robinson (Assistant Directors), Maria Fazakerley (Assistant Musical Director) and Anton Roberts (Assistant Set Co-ordinator) ... did it all work, I would say a definite YES! Loved the choreography throughout, the grouping was good, and the togetherness of the cast excellent. So, credit were credits due, well-done Nicole, well done team, you all should give yourselves huge ‘pat on the back’. This well-chosen, totally inclusive cast, looked like they were enjoying every minute on stage ... a great production that you should all be proud of!

The Cast...  fifty-two, excited, enthusiastic, well-rehearsed young actors took to the stage and what a great job they made... they included:- (Named Principal Cast Members) ‘Matilda’ – Thea Caldwell; ‘Miss Trunchbull’ – James Rathbone-Birch;
Miss Honey’ – Lucy Baldwin, (Monday - Anna Dixon), ‘Mr Wormwood’ – Jasmine Watkinson; ‘Mrs Wormwood’ – Alexia Porter; ‘Michael’ – Keeley Eccleston; ‘Mrs Phelps’ – Isabelle Fawcett; ‘Acrobat’ – Morgan Davidson; ‘Escapologist’ – Jaycob Levine; ‘Rudolpho’ – Finlay Dockerty; ‘Bruce’ – Jessica Roberts; ‘Lavender’ – Ellie Houghton; ‘Nigel’ – Leo Kylilis; ‘Eric’ – Annie Stocks, ‘Alice’ – Sophie Hayes; ‘Amanda’ – Grace Leadbetter; ‘Hortensia’ – Amelia Talbot; ‘Tommy’ – Ellis Stockton- Beesley;
‘Poppy’ – Katie Archibald; ‘Beatrice’ – Martha Hilton; Big Kid 1 – Gabriella Dyson; ‘Big Kid2’ – Willow Hewitt.  
ENSEMBLE... Bethany Addison, Olivia Cummings, Kieran Nightingale, Isabelle Levin, Josie Andrews, Dominic Woodcock, Jake Stuchberry, Olivia Whitfield, Emma Booth, Pheobe Halliwell, Daisy Cathcart, Willow Webster Williams; Lily Frodsham, Isla Hayes, Caris Malkin, Lissy Glover, Lucy Biggy, Mya Allen, Nina Mc Dermott, Sophie Roberts, Albie Connor, Holly Ashton, Thea Smith, Scarlett Glynn, Alfie Scholes, Arabella Hodgetts, Lola Milroy, Eleanor Featherstone and Connie Simpson-Stewart

As most people know, this is the moment where I stick my neck out and start selecting MY show‑stealer and MY favourite characters, but I genuinely don’t think we had a show-stealer as such, I honestly believe the success of this musical came from a cast that worked exceptionally well together. When I read through Nicole’s programme notes, she captured my thoughts perfectly: “this cast thrive on the ability to unite, encourage and believe in one another.” That spirit was visible in every scene, every transition, every moment — right up to and including the final bows. The camaraderie, the connection between the cast and the Production Team… was unmistakable and Nicole and her team should, and I know are, very proud of that and again she summed that up beautifully in her after‑show speech, when she said ... “they did it their way, they felt special, and each of them shone in their own way” and when that happens, there’s very little more you can ask!  But, having said all that, it do think it would be remiss of me not to give a few ‘shout‑outs’. I’ve seen her a few times now, and at the last awards dinner she was rightly recognised with an award... Lucy Baldwin gave us another fabulous character in the form of Miss Honey. Lucy is blessed with a wonderful singing voice and a real ability to create a character — both were on full display again that evening, well done, Lucy. James Rathbone‑Birch did a great job as the ever‑so‑nasty Miss Trunchbull! A great character created, looked the part, and worked brilliantly with everyone on stage. Great job James. Thea Caldwell took on the lead role of Matilda and again created a great character. Honestly, it’s so hard to say ‘someone is better’ than someone else when you can see that everyone has given their all and you can’t ask/expect more. But, if I may, I’d like to mention one very small young lady who almost had me in tears. Looking at the programme photos, I think her name was Daisy Cathcart. OMG — throughout the show she looked like she was having the time of her life, but for the bows… she came on like a pro, bowed, then started dancing, and I think she’d have stayed there all night if she could! That, in a nutshell, is what amateur theatre should be all about: “having fun”!

Staging & Tech ... the staging — hired from Scenery Solutions — was excellent. Scene changes were mostly smooth and slick; yes, we had the odd clunky, bangy moment, but they were tiny blips in an otherwise polished operation. I loved the three swings, they looked fantastic and were used brilliantly. Bruce’s cake‑eating feat was a triumph and got plenty of whoops and hollas. And the flying pigtails… honestly, OMG, the scene looked incredible and worked perfectly. My own society staged Matilda Jr last year, and Lancashire County Council’s Child Licensing Group wanted chapter and verse on every staging detail — they consider Matilda a high‑risk youth show — so I know exactly how much work goes into getting it all right.  Lighting was really good, but I was a little disappointed with the sound. I felt the backing track was too loud throughout, and to compensate, the personal mic levels seemed to be pushed higher. It made the vocals harder to understand. I don’t want to offend, but it did feel like an issue — and as we were leaving, I did hear others mention it too.

Costumes ... fabulous, authentic and sourced from Thespis Theatrical Costume Hire. They looked the part from start to finish.  Props ... first class and used extremely well. Both costumes and props genuinely elevated the production.

Backstage Team ... in the programme I spotted a plethora of backstage helpers — Kate Jones, Kate Davidson, Helen & Hannah Archibald, Claire Hampson, Kate Andrews, Anna Heyes, Hayley Hewitt, Vikki Hamilton and Erin Bardsley. A huge thank you to every one of you. These young actors simply couldn’t perform without selfless people like you keeping everything running. Be very proud, folks

Thank you so much for the invitation. I absolutely love coming to watch, support, and encourage all my youth groups. You are the future of Amateur Theatre — and after seeing your production, there’s no doubt whatsoever that the future is in very safe hands

Stay Safe, Keep well ...
“Stronger Together”
Jim Briscoe,  
NODA NW...
District 6 Rep

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.