I
doubt there is a person reading this who isn’t already familiar with Roald
Dahl’s classic story ‘Matilda’; A story of a little girl with an extraordinary
brain from a rather, shall we say, colourful
family.
Colour,
incidentally, is what I’m first struck by upon entering the auditorium – so
vibrant. This combined with the bombardment of words, letters and shapes
creates the feeling of having stepped straight into a child’s imagination. Once
again Rob Howell’s design takes my breath away, not just for its aesthetic
beauty but for the thorough theme exploration. You may have seen pictures of
the set but they do not do justice to the visual thrill of actually seeing it
for yourself!
Making
up the proscenium arch and borders are letters on scrabble blocks put together
to create various words. These words initially seem quite random but turn out to
have profound significance to the show. Words such as dynamite, scarf and
acrobats – confusing at first but as Matilda relays the escapologist’s story
you realise the importance behind them. It’s quite fun too, before the show and
during the interval, seeing what words you can pick out.
The
show begins on a burst of energy that continues to pulse from start to finish
and never once wavers – not just from the children but from the adult
performers too as though they are bouncing off the natural youthful liveliness
these kids bring to the production.
The
kids really are the stars of the show. That is unquestionable; so much talent
and confidence with each and every one.
I saw Hayley
Canham as Matilda and I’m astounded at the ability of someone so young to
be able to carry the whole show while portraying such a complex character and do
it all with unrelenting gusto. Her acting is so concentrated and intense that
I’m completely drawn into her complicated world. She creates a character as
believably as any professional 3 times her age. Here’s a youtube clip I found
of her singing at a GB cultural event:-
Now,
when I saw Steve Furst’s name
attached to this production I did that internal sigh that I always do when I
see names from the telly and expect
to have to put up with a poor performance for the sake of bums on seats. BUT
when I’m wrong, then I say I’m wrong and I was wrong about you (gold star to whoever can name the musical
reference). I was actually so impressed with his Mr Wormwood, all the more
so for it being completely unexpected. In his garishly loud green costume he
portrays a character to match – a frenetic, slimy geezer of the delboy variety.
He has a great stage presence and I’m so won over, I actually can’t imagine
anyone else playing this role now. I urge you to see it while he’s still there.
This
being the first time I’ve seen Matilda, I can’t compare David Leonard’s
performance as Miss Trunchbull to Bertie Carvel’s and I think, actually, this
is a good thing for I can judge without bias. Having created the role and from
the praise that surrounds Mr Carvel, it seems to me like he gave a pretty
unbeatable performance and this must’ve been a pretty daunting takeover.
I do, however, feel like Mr Leonard is still
getting to know the character and that he hasn’t quite settled into the rhythm
yet. Oh, and, if you’re sitting in the first few rows take an umbrella... as an
acTOR, he spray spits.... a lot (actually
this really suits the character. Makes her that little bit more vile).
Hayley Flaherty as Miss Honey
conveys her kind but nervous, shrinking violet character wonderfully and Annette McLaughlin bellows out Mrs
Wormwood’s shallow & uncaring nature with fervour.
I
think it’s also important to mention two others with smaller roles - Mark Goldthorp who plays the
doctor/escapologist (as well as performing
many ensemble numbers) and really shines in all these different guises and Melanie La Barrie as Mrs Phelps who you
can’t help but warm to.
This
show is made up of wonderful scenes that you will take away with you and
remember. Many of them include magical moments created by Paul Kieve that will
really make you gasp – it’s no small feat to twirl a girl around by the pig
tails, throw her out into the audience and have her drop in the middle of the
aisle!
The
scene that resonates most with myself, and I think that nearly all adults would
agree, comes right after the interval –a playground scene where the children glide
serenely out into the audience on swings, imagining what they can and will do
when they grow up. It made me feel a little choked up at the innocent ideals we
lose when we actually are grown up and how we realise we still know nothing.
“When I grow up/ I will be smart enough to answer all/ The questions that you need to know/ The answers to before you’re grown up”
Having
since read the programme thoroughly which includes an interview with Tim
Minchin (who wrote the music and lyrics
... though I’m sure you already know that) I’ve discovered that my reaction
to that song was exactly what he intended... the clever man.
I
think there’s little doubt that Matilda will be one of those long running shows (though nothing is certain these days) but
don’t let that make you complacent – go see it soon while this brilliant cast
are performing... you can always go again and again afterwards. I know I will
be.
Matilda
is currently running at the Cambridge Theatre. For more information and to book tickets, please go to www.matildathemusical.com/
