What’s it all about?
Revolting children and even more revolting adults; a wonderfully bright young heroine and her beyond ghastly family. You’ll no doubt already know – and surely love – Roald Dahl’s much-loved story, but the Royal Shakespeare Company’s hit musical has been winning over London audiences’ hearts with its wickedly witty take on it since the production opened in 2011.
Playing a huge part in its dose of mischievousness is Tim Minchin’s hilarious, clever and often heart-wrenchingly poignant lyrics, and Dennis Kelly’s equally brilliant script. Together with acclaimed director Matthew Warchus, the trio have crafted a musical that offers children plenty to be wowed by while offering a peppering of jokes designed for more adult ears.
Casting coup
Rather than household names or transatlantic celebrity cameos, the real casting coup for this show is the enormous talent of the show’s miniature stars. Currently 29 youngsters between the ages of eight and 13-years-old are gracing the show’s stage in rotation – the West End also encourages making time for an education beyond jazz hands, you know – and it’s impossible not to leave utterly staggered. Slick doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Fascinating facts
If you know a budding Matilda, get the tape measure out! All children in with a chance of playing the magically shrewd heroine must be under 4 foot 3 inches. It’s a tall order of a performance for such a little person!
Olivier Awards history
What can we say, this show’s Olivier history borders on legendary. In 2012 Matilda broke all records to take home an epic seven awards, including one for all four of its Matildas, making the group the youngest ever recipients of an Olivier Award. Its incredible win was equalled the following year by a fellow This Morning Audience Award show, hit play The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, but it still remains the most successful musical in Olivier Award history.
They say…
“I think the story has always been a great story, but put together with Dennis Kelly’s words, Matthew Warchus’ direction and Tim Minchin’s clever, clever writing, the three of them together made something really special.
“It’s amazing [working with the kids]. These kids just show us they love it. They’ve been at school all day and they come in at night. In our show there’s no room for egos, it’s all about the kids… their energy keeps us going.” Matilda The Musical’s Haley Flaherty
We say…
When I Grow Up all I want to be is a Revolting Child worthy of this show’s line-up of heroic young performers who bring a touch of spirited anarchy to the West End in this triumph of a show.
You can keep up to date with all the Oliviers news in the run-up to the ceremony on 12 April by visiting Official London Theatre or following the Olivier Awards on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Matilda The Musical is booking at the Cambridge Theatre until 20 December. You can buy tickets through us here.