Matilda Junior - The Musical

What an energy packed piece of youth theatre we enjoyed tonight. They well and truly smashed it!

This was a new venue for the company in a church hall and they utilised all the space they had to a great effect. The stage was built and the backstage space although tight was well utilised. An absolute godsend for this space was the use of a video wall which allowed digital scene changes designed by one of the Assistant Directors, Cara Fowles. These were in keeping with the production and the instantaneous changes made the show flow without any delays. This along with the sound and lighting all added to a memorable evening for cast and audience alike.

The story is all about Matilda, and what a story she tells us. Ruby Watson was excellent in this part and gave a convincing performance with strong dialogue and singing. Her parents who think only of themselves were super and Mrs Wormwood (Beau Walker) along with Mr Wormwood (Dane Smith) convinced us about their priorities, and it is not Matilda!

Matilda is sent to a new school where Miss Agatha Trunchbull, who hates children, is headmistress. Munro Currie, was excellent in this role and commanded the stage with little wonder the children feared her threatening behaviour.  As a complete contrast to Miss T, Hope Stewart in the role of Miss Honey was kind, and serene in her support of Matilda encouraging her in her love of books. Miss Honey does not have a lot to sing but what she had was very good.

There are a good number of supporting roles, too many to mention here but I was very impressed with Harry Newman as Bruce Bogtrotter, and the cake scene at the end of Act one was very funny when he had to eat cake until he was sick. I liked Miss Phelps (Hana Renwick) and her pairing with Matilda as she invents her story that runs through the show was very good and the actors who supported the story (Erin Clarke) as the Acrobat and (Jessica Smith) as the Escapologist were excellent in the mime scenes.

The ages of the ensemble in the show go from quite young to the more mature members of the company and it was evident they all enjoyed what they were doing on stage.

The choreography was superb and the timing of the cast was excellent. I particularly liked “Revolting” and the Physical Education scene was one of my favourites. It was a difficult sing and along with the superb dance sequences excellent.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable production full of life and it was obvious that everyone on stage was having a great time. With a production of this standard, it is easy to forget just how young some of the casts are.

Congratulations to Act 1 Youth and thank you for a most enjoyable and entertaining evening.

 

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