Roald Dahl’s Masterpiece Succeeds In Sunderland
Matilda The Musical ✹✹✹✹✹
Sunderland Empire
Until Saturday 2 June 2018
Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin
Book: Dennis Kelly
The theatre
that says it is "The West End of the North East" has most definitely delivered
on its word with Matilda. The musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company was a
delight. Well deserving of the accolades bestowed upon it, Matilda really is
one of the better musicals out there.
Based upon the 1988 book by legendary author Roald Dahl, we get a tale of
miracles, ambition and our school days rolled into. Add in some clever subplots
and you are transported away to a world of the best read 5 year old.
Her parents didn't plan to have a second child. Mum (Rebecca Thornhill)
was a dance enthusiast on her way to a competition with her dance
partner. Dad (Sebastien Torkia) was a second-hand car dealer trying to
pass off old bangers for top money. Matilda (Annalise Bradbury) was ignored and
left to work her way through the books in the library. From this she gets a
creative mind that far surpasses the family who'd rather watch TV.
But the day comes when Matilda starts school. It is a
But the day comes when Matilda starts school. It is a
What makes Matilda stand apart is that, in addition to a great strong story, and a fine adult cast, we have an extraordinary child cast.
They sing
and dance so precisely that it easy to forget quite how young they all are. The
likes of Lavender (Isobelle Chalmers) and Bruce (Elliott Stiff) are both precocious
and adorable. However it is Annalise Bradbury as Matilda who is simply superb.
With the ability to gel the show together with real star quality, she never out
a foot wrong all night.
The cocktail is complete with a large live band under musical director Andrew
Corcoran and clever set design from Rob Howell. The movement of the set flows
quickly at the end of each scene so there is no pause in the action. This helps
keep the pace and momentum going for the younger members of the audience.
The adults
capture the caricature of the illustrations that accompany Dahl’s books. Craige
Els is larger than life whenever the Headteacher swept across the stage. There
was also singing ability, during The
Smell of Rebellion and athleticism when flinging young maggots across the
stage or vaulting in the physical education lesson. Matilda’s family, including
her brother Michael (Matthew Caputo) and the mother’s dance partner Rudolpho
(Matt Gillett) are delightfully grotesque in the characterisation. Appropriate
pathos is delivered by the nice teacher Miss Honey (Carly Thoms) and librarian Mrs
Phelps (Michelle Chantelle Hopewell).
Matilda is truly special.
Matilda is truly special.
A children's story which adults will
enjoy. Full of moral integrity, the story never lectures the audience. Full of
twists and turns, you care about how it ends. Fine choreography and singing
from the young cast help make it one of the best night's entertainment that
we've had so far in 2018. Yet it is funny too. Dahl was such a great
storyteller and that is reflected in this marvellous show.
Review by Stephen Oliver
This
evening’s Child Cast:
Matilda – Annalise Bradbury
Bruce – Elliott Stiff
Tommy – Dylan Hughes
Nigel – Sheldon Golding
Eric – Harrison Wilding
Hortensia – Daisy
Alice – Nina Bell
Lavender – Isobelle Chalmers
Amanda – Madeline Gilby
On The Web:
#matildaontour
Twitter: @MatildaMusical
Facebook: @MatildaTheMusical
Instagram: @MatildaTheMusical
Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan
Tickets available in person at the Box Office on High
Street West
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