Matilda Junior

The hall had been transformed at Shoeburyness High School to a really effective representation of
the professional production of Matilda Jun. The set was strewn with letters and alphabet blocks
which were used throughout the production to form different scenarios. The packed audience
were looking forward to a great afternoon on this, their first show of the run. We were not
disappointed. This was an incredible performance from over 120 young people as well as more in
the technical department and band members.

I am not forgetting the amazingly talented team who joined together to put this performance on
the stage. Having read the programme credits I realise that I am only going to scratch the surface
of the amount of people responsible for the creative direction, set, costumes, musicians,
choreographers and helpers without whom productions like this would simply not be possible. I
am going to highlight Heidi Young, Danielle Hedley-Jameson, Claire Curtis, Danielle Griggs and
Connie Sexton for being the brains behind this wonderful achievement.

Now to the show. We were introduced to Matilda and her deliciously obnoxious parents and mono
syllabic son from the start. What great casting! Alicia Dalipi took the part of Matilda on the night I
was there. Alicia was charismatic, cheeky, sulky and affectionate in one bundle. With a beautiful
voice capable of harmonising with confidence, she was the epitome of Matilda. This was a terrific
performance. Bailey Montella, as Mr Wormwood was truly ghastly (in a good way!!) and his
obnoxious wife, played by Lily Prowse, were perfect foils for the charm of the librarian, played by
Maria Wilkinson, and the delightful Miss Honey, portrayed by Lola Jenkins. Bailey and Lily showed
the narcissistic side to their on-stage characters and took us along with the narrative in a
thoroughly convincing way. I loved them both especially when coupled up with the delightfully
camp Rudolpho played by Finley Harwood and the droopy, TV obsessed son Michael, played by
Jacob Rush. What treats of roles they all had and they took full advantage of interpreting them to
the maximum!

Maria, as the librarian, performed beautifully and was dressed in a slightly hippy way just as any
good librarian should be. Congratulations to the costume department whose talents shone
through, and demonstrated the thought and care that needs to go into a show like this. Organising
that many costumes was a fantastic achievement. Lola’s portrayal of Miss Honey was so
delightful. All the audience members in my row were totally invested in your life story. And what a
voice! It was beautifully soft, melodic and had a beautiful tone.

Miss Trunchbull soon made her ‘horrible’ appearance and Michael Crump obviously had great fun
with this role. He took ownership of the stage from the moment he entered it. Sometimes it is
difficult to play a ‘baddie’ but Michael relished every word. He entered from all over the auditorium
so that you never knew where he was coming from and the throwing of the pig-tail wearing girl was
really cleverly dealt with. There were many carefully thought through effects in this show with an
interactive whiteboard at the side of the stage being the teachers board as well as the ghostly
prediction conveyer and a live stream for the band’s bows! I still don’t know how the glass of water
moved! I’m sure fishing line was involved but I didn’t see it! Well done to the backstage crew, we
hardly saw you but that it just as it should be. Everything arrived swiftly, cleanly and right on cue.

Lights and sound were well designed and efficiently executed. Congratulations to James Liddell,
one of the school’s students, who took responsibility for not only providing all of the sound
equipment but operating and programming it so professionally.

Bruce Bogtrotter, played by Zac Waine, was just great. As well as being an accomplished character
actor he also possessed a delightfully strong voice which held his vocal line above the rest of the
120 strong voice chorus.

I do feel really mean about not mentioning all the roles taken by these incredibly talented students
but I will pick out just one more by name. Fatima Laghzaoui Lakehal was superb as the
escapologist. Her movements and quality of sing complex harmonies was mesmerizing. A really
lovely performance alongside the talented and balletic Alana Madianganu as the acrobat.

The music department consisting of Mr Heron, Miss Scates, Mr Deal and Mrs Judd excelled
themselves preparing and playing the music for this show. I wish I could have seen you but,
wherever you were, the sound was great and the balance between the cast dialogue and band was
just right. The dynamics and harmonies in the vocal score were so confidently approached by the
cast and that is all down to you. I must congratulate the twelve pupils in the band who contributed
to such a great sound, rarely have I heard better skills demonstrated by so young an orchestra with
you all playing as well as 3 staff members. The song ‘When I grow up’ with chorus members
performing choreographed scooter moves accompanied by the whole cast on the walkways, top
shelf of the scaffolded staging and main stage was a spine-tingling song that started simply then
grew and grew and finally dissipated into a quiet ending was just beautiful. I really loved it when
the whole cast were there for songs all over the auditorium and staging, and every one of them
was totally focussed, knew all the words and moves and were obviously having the time of their
lives. The show culminated with Revolting Children which got the whole auditorium clapping and
ultimately on their feet, cheering.

What a show, what a great afternoon and what talent and dedication displayed. Thank you so
much, Shoeburyness High School, for such a great afternoon. I wish I could see it all again.

Reps name: Angie McGlashon
District NODA East 10

Luckily Tessa Davies, our NODA East councillor, was able to see the other cast on Wednesday
evening and sent me her thoughts on that day as follows:

Shoeburyness High School has always given as many students as possible
the opportunity to take on a leading role in their productions. As a result,
I was asked to watch a performance with the ‘other’ principals and what a
pleasure it was.

Olivia Slatter played my Matilda, and she was very enthusiastic and her
facial expressions were a delight to see. Ole West gave us an excellent
characterisation as Miss Trunchbull, it’s not an easy role but Ole carried it
off well. Riana Butler played Miss Honey to perfection, she has a
beautiful voice which suited the songs and the character.
Kingsley Madianganu played Mr Wormwood, it was a treat to watch him,

his stage presence was outstanding (even with a wardrobe malfunction).
He fitted the part so well and had a great rapport with the audience when
he performed his song Telly at the beginning of act 2. Minnie Hey
played Mrs Wormwood, and her characterisation was excellent. Joe
Johnson (Michael Wormwood) had little to do but his presence on stage
was exactly right for the story. His antics were just enough to make the
point without upstaging anything.

The remaining actors were all good, Rosie Bickerton (Mrs Phelps) Sophie
Hatch (Bruce Bogtrotter) with an impressive singing voice. Amelie Barett
(Lavender) Eloise Kane (Amanda Thripp) Ava Barry (Nigel) Maisie Pease
(Eric) David Ademolake (Rudolpho) Isla Mattingley (Doctor) Jasmin Law
(Escapologist) Alana Madianganu (Acrobat) Grace Kelly (Tommy) Olivia
Batterham (Hortensia) Ciara McArdel (Alice) and Matilda (Sergei)
It was a pleasure to be asked to review these performers, thank you.

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