Hold on to your pigtails and chocolate cake, it’s time to get a little bit naughty ‘cos Matilda The Musical returns to Singapore.
Concertgoers aren’t the only ones having a blast this year. From local to international acts, including the renowned “Hamilton,” the musical theatre line-up is on fire. This time, we’re shining the spotlight on girl genius Matilda Wormwood from Roald Dahl’s classic novel, “Matilda.”
Even though it’s been over 30 years since the novel’s debut, its timeless themes of standing up to injustice with an empowering protagonist and a strong anti-bullying message remain fresh in our minds. Matilda The Musical perfectly captures the essence of the book, enhanced with high-energy choreography by Peter Darling, catchy tunes and lyrics by Tim Minchin, an excellent screenplay by Dennis Kelly, and stellar direction by Matthew Warchus. They also worked on the 2022 musical film that’s currently streaming on Netflix.
Theatre review: Matilda The Musical is an earnest portrayal of the celebrated classic
The first act leaves us no time to establish that Matilda’s parents aren’t your hallmark movie types. Mr Wormwood, portrayed by Matthew Rowland, shines with his physical comedy, while Mrs Wormwood (Emily Squibb) dazzles with her dance moves and vocal prowess. Mr Wormwood calls Matilda his son, they mock her for reading books, and verbally abuse her.
But that doesn’t dampen little Matilda’s spirits. She speaks up for herself at home, spends hours at the library, and gets to do a little revenge of her own. The titular role is shared by three actors: Yolani Balfour, Donna Craig, and Myla Williams. Yolani Balfour was our Matilda during the gala night and boy did she give an absolute cracker of a performance. Her crisp enunciation and angelic voice make up for her small stature – I can still remember the intensity during her musical number, ‘Quiet’.
The children’s cast is far from revolting
The show picks up on Matilda’s first day of school, where we’re introduced to the sprightly ensemble of children. Choreographer Peter Darling makes the most out of the limited stage size with the smart use of props and dance sequences. Look out for “School Song” and “When I Grow Up” – I was in awe as their magnetic energy took over the stage.
Oh, and shoutout to the adorable Lucy Warway (who plays Matilda’s best friend, Lavender) and Ashton Robertson as the chocolate cake-lovin’ Bruce Bogtrotter. Despite their limited screen time, they wowed us with their charisma and excellent comedic timing. Daniel also has a solo in “Revolting Children” that made us want to stand on our feet and cheer him on.
“I’m right and you’re wrong, I’m big and you’re small, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Things quickly take a dark turn as soon as Miss Trunchbull is introduced. The light designs complement the moody music when the eerie, fearsome headmaster we all feared as kids bursts onto the stage. Actor James Wolstenholme captures the nasty headmaster and bully with ease. We gasped in horror when Miss Trunchbull flung poor Lavender around by her pigtails and when she made the students go into the Chokey. Side note: I wish they showed the Chokey just to add more drama to the scene.
Just like Matilda, Miss Honey (portrayed by Gina Beck) progressively stands up for her students despite Miss Trunchbull’s atrocities. The actress gives a clear portrayal of Miss Honey, whose soft demeanour and desire to be a good teacher and guardian to Matilda are conveyed well on stage. Even though we wish both of them had more moments together, the scene in Miss Honey’s home had us rooting for them.
All in all, Matilda The Musical will leave you in high spirits, captivating you with its lively portrayal of Roald Dahl’s beloved classic. From its powerful themes to its energetic choreography and stellar performances, the production leaves a lasting impression. It’s a must-see for theatre enthusiasts of all ages.
Matilda The Musical, now till 7 April at the Sands Theatre, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
