Inspired by Roald Dahl’s children’s novel, Matilda The Musical takes to the stage at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre for over a month. Brought to us by the Royal Shakespeare Company, it’s been seen by over seven million people worldwide and won over 85 international awards. This adaptation by Dennis Kelly features music and lyrics by Australian-born writer and comedian Tim Minchin.
The narrative centres on a gifted five-year-old, faced with challenging obstacles as a child – growing up in a distant, uninterested family whilst being bullied at school by other students and evil headteacher Miss Trunchbull. While Matilda develops a love for books in the library, her parents – a crooked car salesman and a dull bingo enthusiast – ignore her intelligence. Realizing that she has the ability of telekinesis, Matilda finds that she can use her gift to defend herself, her friends, and her kindhearted teacher Miss Honey.
The various logistics of taking such a huge tour around the UK aren’t easy. Phil Bartlett, the resident director of the current tour explains, “There are a huge number of people involved in touring the show – not only the adult and child performers you see onstage, but also all the technical staff behind the scenes, dressers, the wig team, and a full band. Often, we have our final performance at one venue on a Saturday night and then open at the next venue the following Tuesday – so that’s less than three days to move everything across the country and get set up at our new home.”
Matilda is of course, one of Roald Dahl’s most enduring stories – according to Bartlett, part of it is to do with the protagonist herself. “A remarkable little girl who knows the difference between right and wrong and is unafraid to take control of her destiny – to stand up to bullies and ‘change her story’. That feels like a great story to be telling right now.”
Craige Els, who plays Miss Trunchbull, agrees, adding that it’s partly due to Roald Dahl’s ability to tread that “fine line of darkness in children’s literature”. How does it feel to step into Miss Trunchbull’s shoes? “There’s a big responsibility. Everyone uses their own imagination when they read a book, and you can only hope that you come close to portraying the role to everyone’s expectations.” Thankfully, the script and the songs are more than Dahlian enough that Miss Trunchbull just feels right in each scene, according to Els.
Are there any cast members who seem to embody their characters offstage? “Luckily,” Els said, “there are no company members who resemble the horrible characters in the show, although Carly Thoms, who plays Miss Honey, and Michelle Hopewell, who plays Mrs Phelps are very sweet in real life.”
As one of the most decorated musicals of recent times, taking place in one of the most beautifully designed art centres in the UK, Matilda The Musical is not to be missed. ELLIE WAINWRIGHT
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 4 Dec-Sat 12 Jan. Tickets: £20-£72.
Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk