Matilda The Musical Jr

The story of Matilda is about a young girl with a phenomenal imagination, who overcomes dismissive parents, and, with the help of her schoolteacher, Miss Honey, saves the school from a bullying headmistress.

In the title role, Kate Whitaker was deliciously precocious.  Her acting was excellent with strong vocals, a little gem, her delivery of `Naughty` was a joy.    Equally, Chloe Brooks as Miss Honey was terrific.  Vocally exceptional, performing the song `This Little Girl` beautifully, all round a very mature performance.

I liked Jude Yellop as the evil headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, commanding and maintaining the character with aplomb. Playing Matilda`s uncaring father, Mr Wormwood, Abraham Collishaw, played a corrupt salesman trying to sell old bangers as new to Russian customers with shady intent.  Lilly Simons-Clark, his dance loving wife, was equally dismissive of their daughter showing no affection, playing her part with gusto.  Completing the dysfunctional family was Ivan Hager as Michael, the slobby son.

Mrs Phelps, beautifully played by Phoebe Mellor, was Matilda`s sympathetic mentor, listening to her stories with great interest.  Matilda`s story telling included Joe Stewart as the Escapologist and Evie Radmore as his Acrobatic partner.  With stylish dancing and nice characterisations they complimented each other well.

Tom Lightbown was Bruce, a victim of Miss Trunchbull`s wrath, and his cake-eating scene was very well done.  Also great characterisation came from Quillen Parker as Nigel, Nefeli Fryganioti as Lavender, and Max Fuller as Rudolpho, an amusing cameo,  along with many other cast members, contributing to the excellent cast, who finished with the rousing finale number `Revolting Kids`Siobhan Parker`s direction extracted a high energy fast moving well-disciplined production.  It was kept moving by slick scene changes by the cast moving the vast array of props very smoothly.  The cast were also well drilled by Anna McAuley the Musical Director. Working with Siobhan, Molly Parkinson, as choreographer, deserves praise for creating simple but most impressive routines, again well drilled.

A practical set made and designed by Roydon Charlesworth and Katie Bird, together with excellent lighting and back projection by David Price, and spot-on sound by Dave Dallard, enhanced the production.

Congratulations to LEOS, who delivered a top-drawer production.  Not only the principals, who all played their roles supremely well, but to the `well-schooled` chorus, whose energy and enthusiasm were an integral part of this shows undoubted success. 

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