Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre review [STAR:5]

Roald Dahl’s story of a child genius with magic powers who brings anarchy then justice upon her little world is, it turns out, perfectly adapted for the stage. This production, underpinned by the likes of Tim Minchin and playwright Dennis Kelly, has raked in the awards, from a few Tonys in its New York run to a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Olivier Award wins (7 in 2012).

Matilda is a gutsy little girl whose phenomenal brainpower goes unnoticed by her couch potato parents, and is utterly reviled by her troll of a headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The script gives ample opportunity for the young cast to exhibit their spectacular, stamping energy in a brilliantly choreographed swing scene (Peter Darling’s choreography and Rob Powell’s set are cornerstones of the production) and plenty of schoolroom antics.

The RSC’s Matthew Warchus directs (his Shakespeare-heavy career would certainly have won Dahl's approval), and the brilliant cabaret songwriter Tim Minchin is responsible for the raucous music and lyrics. If Dennis Kelly’s script is a little black, it’s nothing to his previous plays (which feature a spot of mass sterilisation and patricide), but then Dahl was never one to shirk a touch of the grisly, and it only fuels the brilliance of this production.

Suitable for ages 5+

What	Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre review
Where	Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9HU \| MAP
Nearest tube	Covent Garden (underground)
When	16 Oct 21 – 17 Dec 23, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price	£24-£146
Website	Click here for more information and to book

What the critics say

THE GUARDIAN

"Writer Dennis Kelly and composer and lyricist Tim Minchin go to the top of the class with this anarchically joyous, gleefully nasty and ingenious musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's story about a girl, Matilda... who scoffs Dickens and Dostoevsky like other kids eat sweets."

THE TELEGRAPH

"The show has now finally arrived in the West End, where I suspect it will delight audiences for years to come, as well as crossing the Atlantic to conquer Broadway, too. It is the best new British musical since Billy Elliot."