Matilda Jr. The Musical

This was the first time Dan Moore and his creative team from CRE8  had worked with Ipswich High School Musical Theatre Academy in it’s purpose built theatre at Woolverstone Hall in the beautiful setting overlooking the River Orwell. The students were mainly part of the Prep and Upper School and had started rehearsing in January to grow their confidence and all the theatre skills required to produce this much loved show to the impressive standard of performance we witnessed today.

Matilda is a remarkably intelligent child with a love of reading. She was portrayed by the equally remarkable Ceci Morgan, who delivered an excellent, confident performance and impressive musical numbers. I was also told that she starred as the lead in Annie Jr. just last week. Having to rehearse two shows at the same time is difficult for anyone, but at just nine years old, this is quite a brilliant achievement. Lilly Harris gives a delightful performance as Miss Honey, recognising Matilda’s abilities and supporting her, when others do not. She brings warmth and compassion to the role, matched by her stunning singing. In clear contrast to these gentle characters, Miss Trunchbull is cruel and intimidating. Sophia Barry fully commits to the role, physically and emotionally capturing the bullying headmistress with impressive strength and conviction.

The principal cast were strongly supported by a lively ensemble of named characters. Leo Copperwaite and Lily Craske brought comedy to the roles of Mr and Mrs Wormwood, while Enid Wright offered warmth as the caring Mrs Phelps. Tilly Flynn and Christina McLean  added colour to the roles of the Escapologist and Acrobat. The whole cast and ensemble showed remarkable energy and enthusiasm, with strong dancing, talented singing, and impressive harmonies, especially on such an oppressing hot night.  Knowing how uncomfortable the heat was for many of us in the audience, their performance was even more remarkable. Many congratulations to you all on being such “horrible children” exactly as is required by the script.

As well as Matilda, several younger ensemble members also appeared in last week’s Annie Jr. Tabitha Potter who played Bruce was Miss Hannigan in Annie Jr, as well as  Lucy Evans (as Lavender).  It was heartening to see so many young performers enjoying the camaraderie of rehearsals while gaining valuable stage experience and building confidence to help enrich their lives in the future.

Effective lighting and the use of large square alphabet blocks worked well and was all that was required to create the scene with all the children looking particularly disheveled in their school uniforms.

You all worked very hard and thoroughly enjoyed, I’m sure, bringing all your characters to life on stage. Thank you to the Creatives, Dan, Lucy and Edith along with your backstage team for producing an excellent piece of musical theatre.

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