Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) continued its 2023 season opening with the award-winning musical, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, playing alternate nights with The Prom, until August 26th. The wildly, entertaining musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly is based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl.
The story begins five years ago when the vacuous Mrs Wormwood unexpectedly gives birth to a baby girl but she’s more emotional about missing out on a ballroom dancing competition. Mr Wormwood, a shady, used car salesman, is quick to dismiss the newborn Matilda upon realizing she is a girl.
Fast forward five years, the young Matilda – played by the powerhouse Siggi Kaldestad who commands every moment onstage – has grown into a brilliant, albeit neglected child. While praising her older brother’s TV viewing habits, the Wormwoods make fun of Matilda’s love of books and learning, leading her to act out and be a little big “Naughty”.
The imaginative child loves to visit the library, and the librarian loves to hear Matilda’s “Story 1: Once Upon a Time” about a world-famous escapologist and acrobat hoping for a child.
Trying to break her, Mr Wormwood sends Matilda to a School run by the tyrannical Agatha Trunchbull – a hilarious scenery chewing turn by Jyla Robinson – who loathes “Revolting Children”. However, her timid teacher Miss Honey – Paula Higgins providing a sweet balance to Robinson’s over the top performance – recognizes Matilda’s brilliance and tries to support her, finding the bravery to stand up to Miss Trunchbull. Matilda’s burgeoning brain power ‘oozes out from her eyes’ (telekinesis), her superpower helping her to support Miss Honey and the other children avoid Trunchbull’s punishments in the infamous Chokey cells. Will is result in a happy ending for everyone? You’ll have to watch and see!
Roald Dahl’s imaginative novel is brought to life by Director Stephanie Graham and a creative team including Choreographer Krystal Kiran, Lighting Designer Robert Sondergaard, Set Designer Brian Ball and Costumer Designer Christine Reimer who translates Quentin Blakes original quirky illustrations from the novel to the stage. Especially brilliant and bold are the costumes and performances by Victor Hunter as Mr. Wormwood and Madeleine Suddaby as Mrs. Wormwood, Matilda’s shallow parents compete with Robinson’s Trunchbull for many of the embarrassingly hilarious moments. Other stand outs amongst the youth ensemble include Preston Culili as Bruce Bogtrotter and Vienna Vasquez as Matilda’s BFF Lavender. Jaren Guerreiro also stands out as Mrs Wormwood’s very bendy Ballroom Dance partner Rudolpho.
As always, Theatre Under The Stars makes full use of the Malkin Bowl stage to fill the ensemble with many local talents. In the cast of Matilda, that means a dozen youth and another 10 young adult ensemble members having the opportunity to shine alongside some more experienced professionals. However, it is the audience who are the real winners to be able to witness this energetic company of players bring Matilda The Musical to life.
Theatre Under The Star’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical plays in repertoire with The Prom until August 26 at Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park.