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STORY
Matilda West End
Theatre
Cambridge Theatre
Duration
150 minutes
Age Restrictions
6+ years
Matilda holds the record for the most Olivier Awards won by a West End musical: seven in total. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s much-loved novel, it follows a prodigiously intelligent young girl stuck in a beastly school when she discovers supernatural abilities. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the musical features a superb score by the Australian comedian Tim Minchin, renowned for the wit and agility of his lyrics, while playwright Dennis Kelly’s book catches the grotesque comedy of Dahl’s world.
Matilda opens with a chorus of irritating children, each told they’re a ‘Miracle’ by fawning, doe-eyed parents. For Matilda Wormwood, nothing could be further from the truth. Her ballroom dancing-obsessed mother barely notices her, while her gobby, car salesman father belittles her. They’d rather watch a ton of television, while five-year-old Matilda hoovers up books from the local library.
Read MoreWhen she finally starts school at Crunchem Hall, Matilda finds the pupils terrified of their headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Played by a male actor, with broad shoulders and shrill falsetto, she’s one of the most delicious characters on the London stage: a sadistic disciplinarian who takes great pleasure in devising appropriate punishments for pupils. Greedy Bruce Bogtrotter, for instance, is forced to eat an entire chocolate cake for stealing a single slice. Matilda takes an instant dislike to her – and Miss Trunchbull feels exactly the same way.
Her class teacher Miss Honey is the very opposite: gentle, kind and keen to help Matilda learn. She’s browbeaten by her boss too, but during one punishment session, Matilda discovers her special powers: too much brain power means she can move objects with her mind. Realising the possibilities, Matilda vows to train her brain to focus her telekineses and overthrow Miss Trunchbull – but doing so means finding her weak spot.
Matilda is crowned with a stunning score – one of the best of recent years. Several of Tim Minchin’s songs stick in the memory long after the show, especially the melancholic curtain raiser at the start of Act Two, ‘When I Grow Up,’ a song about longing for the independence of adulthood. Despite that, Matilda is really a hymn to childhood and its own particular freedoms, insisting that imagination and mischief are key. As Matilda sings, “Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.” Book your Matilda Tickets today!
Info
Matilda Tickets
Choose your seats via our live booking platform. Once payment is completed, you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference number and eTickets.
Upon arrival at the venue, display the eTickets on your phone or show the box office a printed ticket.
Which Theatre
Cambridge Theatre, located at Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street, WC2H 9HU.
Any Questions
If you have any questions about your ticket purchase, you can contact our customer services team on 020 3670 8887
Good to Know
Strobe lighting is used several times during the performance.
Age Recommendation
For ages six and above.
Can I Video or Take Photos?
The use of camera and sound recording equipment is strictly prohibited.
Matilda The Musical – Reviews
CREATIVE
Cast and Creative
Cast
Rob Crompton – Mr Wormwood
Simon Shorten – Sergei
Malinda Parris – Mrs Phelps
Hayden Tee – Miss Trunchbull
Maria Graciano – Ensemble
Alex Hammond – The Escapologist
Glen Facey – Michael Wormwood
Callum Train – Rudolpho
Karina Hind – Swing
Gina Beck – Miss Honey
Marianne Benedict – Mrs Wormwood
Gemma Scholes – Acrobat
Creative
Roald Dahl – Author
Dennis Kelly – Book
Tim Minchin – Music & lyrics
Matthew Warchus – Director
Peter Darling – Choreography
Rob Howell – Set & costume design
Christopher Nightingale – Orchestrations
Hugh Vanstone – Lighting design
Simon Baker – Sound design
Paul Kieve – Illusion
Laurie Perkins – Musical director
Ellen Kane – Associate choreographer