Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

Everyone has read the children's novel Matilda and it is loved by many, myself included. This is why the book has been adapted in various media, including audio readings, films, programmes and musicals. Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical is directed by Tony-Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, the film is produced by Eric Fellner and screenwriter Dennis Kelly adapts the Royal Shakespere Company's production for the big screen, with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

I had the great pleasure of attending the media preview screening of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical at Movie House Cityside. The film has been getting some rave reviews from critics… but can we say it’s better than the actual book? 

The musical tells us the story of an extraordinary girl, with a vivid imagination, who dares to change her story with miraculous results. Alisha Weir plays Matilda, the little girl with a strong sense of justice and the courage to make a difference. Despite her parent’s objections, Matilda’s favourite thing is to read and learn new things. Surprisingly, she finds a true friend in Miss Honey, the gentle teacher that is trying to help Matilda’s talent as she is not like any other kid. While her parents watch TV and involve themselves in dodgy money-making schemes, Matilda loves to lose herself in the pages of her beloved books.

The fans of the book remember that the parents are not the only bullies in Matilda’s life, the other one is Miss Trunchbull of course–the cruel Headmistress of Crunchen Hall, with a massive hatred of all children and her character is played by the wonderful Emma Thompson. Roald Dahl talks a lot about Trunchbull’s physicality in the book, as the director of the film Matthew Warchus says, transforming Emma was a fascinating process. Prosthetics were used to create a formidable harshness in her jawline, nose and brows–and it was an absolutely perfect tool to intensify Trunchbull’s character.

The emotional centre of the story is Miss Honey, played by Lashana Lynch–the kind and passionate teacher who recognizes Matilda’s abilities and pledges to support her, but she’s stopped by Trunchbull, as her life motto is “None of you are special”.

A personal highlight of the film would be the impressive work of the ensemble children. Matilda the Musical boasts a dance ensemble of 250 extraordinarily talented kids, and it was a pleasure to watch. My favourite would definitely be the musical number “Bruce”, where one of the kids Bruce Bogtrotter steals some of Trunchbull’s chocolate cake and she punishes him by making him eat the whole thing in front of everyone… but was it really cake? Yes. 150 enormous chocolate cakes were made and destroyed in the filming of this scene.

Although the film is aimed at younger audiences, I thoroughly enjoyed the musical; Matilda was joyous and light, filled with great musical numbers.



📽 Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is releasing in Movie House cinemas across NI on NOV 25 – with a streaming release in summer 2023 on Netflix 📽

Film Review: Ellie Mihaylova


Location: United Kingdom

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