Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh until 27 April 2019
Reviewed by James Knight
5*****
‘Bambinatum est Magitum’, the motto of the terrifying Trunchem Hall where Matilda goes to school, translates as ‘Children are Maggots’. In the case of this production, they are also sickeningly talented.
After sell-out runs at the RSC, London and Broadway, Matilda embarks on its first UK tour. It’s a joyous celebration of youth, imagination and above all, love of language. Writer Dennis Kelly and Composer/Lyricist Tim Minchin evidently had a ball coming up with as many linguistic tricks as they could, and they do not disappoint. Songs like The Smell of Rebellion and Revolting Children revel in the wordplay and double meanings of words, but for me the standout song lyrically is The School Song, into which the entire alphabet is subtly woven into (‘And so you think you’re Able/To survive this mess by Being a prince or a princess/You will soon ‘C’ etc. Ugh, genius). Even the set has words embedded in it throughout.
All the performers at the top of the game, from the well-established actors to the younger cast, some of whom are making their professional debut with this production. Matilda (Scarlett Cecil when I reviewed) commands the stage excellently, even garnering a round of applause when standing up to the fearsome Miss Trunchbull (a by turns terrifyingly and hilariously agile Elliot Harper). Matilda’s parents are a suitably rotten pair, played with gusto by Sebastien Torkia and Rebecca Thornhill – Mr Wormwood being a fast-talking used car salesman and Mrs Wormwood an amateur competitive Latin dancer and microwave dinner chef extraordinaire. It’s a show with a lot going on, but the rest of the youth cast (Toby Mocrei, Ben Pike, Alfie Sanderson, Toby Hales, Lillie Downton, Aiya Augustin, Lily Van Veen, Darcy Kelly – phew) all get their various moments to shine, with newt shenanigans, ear-pulling, cake-scoffing and pigtail swinging galore. Providing the heart and emotional core of the piece are Miss Honey (Carly Thoms), Matilda’s quiet and caring teacher, and Mrs Phelps (Michelle Chantelle Hopewell), the librarian enraptured by Matilda’s natural gift for storytelling.
Couple this with outstanding choreography, executed with slick precision by performers of all ages, there’s so much high energy action happening onstage, it’s a feast for the eyes and ears and would definitely hold up to multiple viewings. Personal highlight? The ode to youthful optimism, When I Grow Up, as characters on swings almost fly over the audience.
In a word, spectacular.