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A CurtainUp 
London Review
London ReviewMatilda the Musical
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Looks are more important than books. — Mrs Wormwood
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Children in “When I Grow Up” (Photo: Manuel Harlan) |
It all goes wrong for Matilda at birth when her father, the second hand car dealer Mr Wormwood (Paul Kaye), refuses to acknowledge that she is a girl and calls her boy throughout. Her mother (Josie Walker) is obsessed with ballroom dancing competitions with her dance partner the slimy Rudolpho (Gary Watson).
Matilda discovers she can be naughty and substitutes her father’s hair oil for something that turns his hair green. She seeks solace in the stories at the local library with librarian Mrs Phelps (Melanie la Barrie) but is sent to Crunchem Hall Primary School ruled by the vicious ex-hammer thrower, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda is taught by the shy, self effacing Miss Honey (Lauren Ward) and discovers that one of her stories about a daring Escapologist (Matthew Malthouse) and his wife the Acrobat (Emily Shaw) has a basis in fact. She uses her special powers to frustrate Miss Trunchbull and her favoured punishment for the pupils of confinement in a cell with nails and glass in the walls called “Chokey.”
Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull and Lauren Ward as Miss Honey (Photo: Manuel Harlan) |
Minchin’s lyrics too are great fun. The choreographed children have been drilled to within an inch of their life and the set piece numbers are startingly good. “When I Grow Up” in which we see smaller children grow up and switch swings with their older counterparts is really impressive and memorable. I loved the gym drill over the gym horse which culminates in Trunchbull athletically skipping with a gymnastic ribbon.
Matthew Warchus’ production has plenty of dark fun in it to satisfy adults in the audience but the heart warming story of the delicate Miss Honey never feels sentimental or schmaltzy as admirably underplayed by Mrs Warchus, Lauren Ward. I saw 10 year old Eleanor Worthington Cox as Matilda. She is one of four alternate Matildas. She sings and dances superbly but is a natural actress with an innocent charm that pleases. Bertie Carvel gives a superbly, wry comic performance as Miss Trunchbull. Part leather clad Richard III, part daunting Olympian in the strength field events, she has a capacious bosom adorned with a T shirt of Olympic rings. Trunchbull so should have been the symbol of the London Olympics in 2012! Carvel has a large hairy mole on his face and stands giving the audience amused asides with one hand permanently bent backwards. We cheer on Bruce (Jake Bailey) who has the challenge of eating all of Miss Trunchbull’s Chocolate Cake and love the rock number at the end when the children sing “Revolting Children”.
Rob Howell’s set and costume designs are delightful. Library shelves fill the stage and the surround is alphabet building blocks lit dramatically by Hugh Vanstone. The RSC may have as big a hit with Matilda as they did with Les Miserables back in 1985. And what do I want for Christmas? A ticket to see Matilda again!
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| Matilda the Musical
Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin Book by Dennis Kelly Original novel by Roald Dahl Directed by Matthew Warchus Starring: Bertie Carvel, Paul Kaye, Lauren Ward, Josie Walker, The Matildas: Eleanor Worthington Cox, Sophia Kiely, Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram With: Peter Howe, Melanie La Barrie, Matthew Malthouse, Emily Shaw, Verity Bentham, Alistair Parker, Marc Antolin, Nick Searle, Lucy Thatcher, Matthew Clark, Michael Kent, Rachel Moran, Leanne Pinder. The Children: Ruby Bridle, Jemima Eaton, Ellie Simons, Jake Bailey, James Beesley, Zachary Harris, William Keeler, Alfie Manser, Jaydon Vijn, Lili Laight, Isobelle Molloy, Lucy May Pollard, Toby Murray, Louis Suc, Ted Wilson, Alicia Gould, Jemima Morgan, Annabel Parsons, Oonagh Cox, Fleur Houdijk, Katie Lee, Thomas Atkinson, Callum Henderson Jamie Kaye Choreography by Peter Darling Design: Rob Howell Orchgestrations and Additional Music: Chris Nightingale Sound: Simon Baker Lighting: Hugh Vanstone Illusion: Paul Kieve Musical Director: Bruce Lee Running time: Two hours 30 minutes including one interval Box Office: 0844 412 4652 Booking to 21st October 2012 Reviewed by Lizzie Loveridge based on 21st November 2011 performance at The Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, London WC2 9HU (Tube: Covent Garden) |
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Musical Numbers
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Act One
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Act Two
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