REVIEW

MATILDA

MAYFLOWER, SOUTHAMPTON

THEY may be Revolting Children but spectacular performances from the young cast of Matilda the Musical raised the roof of Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre.

Talent was in abundance as the pupils of Crunchem Hall struggled to keep out of the way of the terrifying Miss Trunchbull under the watchful eye of the caring and timid Miss Honey.

The sell-out audience was captivated as the endearing Bruce Bogtrotter defiantly ploughed his way through a giant chocolate cake.

And young audience members held their breath as the pupils tried to avoid a spell in the dreaded Chokey.

There was a real “pinch yourself” moment as the Trunchbull hurled a young pupil into the air by her pigtails.

It was cleverly done and I’m sure no actual children were thrown into the sky in the making of this production but I could have done with a replay button to see how they actually did it.

This multi-award winning musical is still a best-seller in London’s West End and the UK tour is proving equally popular.

There are few children who haven’t been enthralled by Roald Dahl’s Matilda and this show certainly does the best-selling book justice.

Matilda Wormwood, an exceptionally bright child, is trapped in a family who mistreat her and relentlessly chastise her for reading books.

She quietly gets her revenge by creating a series of unfortunate incidents including turning her father’s hair green and sticking his hat to his head.

But her frustration eventually unleashes a superpower meaning she can move things with her eyes.

The fun really begins when Matilda is finally allowed to go to school and meets her saviour, the adorable teacher, Miss Honey.

But Matilda is unaware that Miss Honey is related to the terrifying, bullying Miss Agatha Trunchbull, head of Crunchem Hall.

The set is simply stunning and the lively soundtrack is the perfect accompaniment to this captivating tale.

Moving seamlessly from the library, to the classroom, to the living room and back again the set changes in the blink of an eye.

Children in the audience were bouncing in their seats as the cast belted out Naughty and Revolting Children.

In contrast, many of the adults were crying happy tears to When I Grow Up at the end of the show.

Freya Scott excelled in the title role with Presley Charman’s Bruce and Chantelle Tonolete’s Lavendar delighting the audience.

The grown-ups weren’t bad either with Elliot Harper’s performance as the Trunchbull bringing the audience to its feet at the end of the show.

Matilda, a Royal Shakespeare Company production, is at the Mayflower until July 6 and tickets are limited.

But don’t miss the chance to go. Sometimes you have to be a little bit Naughty.

JANE READER