11th – 21st March 2024
With Easter fast approaching, the programmer at Dramacube had clearly done their homework with a string of chocolatey themed events, and the ‘Bruce Bogtrotter’ (Rupert Calarco) scene in Matilda was certainly the icing on a very chocolatey cake. Calarco gave a convincing performance and, judging by the chocolate smeared around his face, I imagine there may have been a degree of method acting going on. He clearly loved every moment when tucking into the very impressive cake, made by Properties Manager Zoe Jones.
This was the second time Dramacube had produced this much-loved show at Hampton Hill Theatre and the joy of every cast member performing on stage was clear to see. Their previous production picked up a record-breaking number of Arts Richmond Swan awards and they’ll have high hopes for this run too.
“This was a well-told story and an impressive production”
As stated on the Music Theatre International website, Matilda the Musical Jr. was inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, and the Tony Award-winning show is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She is unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her teacher, Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!
A full house at Hampton Hill Theatre were immediately thrown into the wonderful and wicked world of Roald Dahl as one of his most infamous characters, Miss Trunchbull informed the audience that anyone caught taking photographs or video recordings would be thrown into ‘Chokey’ and her brutality didn’t stop there!
The opening number is Miracle where we meet a group of children who, having been molly-coddled by their parents, all have a superiority complex, something Trunchbull’s Crunchem school will soon knock out of them. Matilda, however, is different and it is her story which unfolds as she goes into battle with, initially her dysfunctional parents and then the evil Trunchbull in her quest to save the downtrodden Miss Honey.
This production was directed by Matthew Bunn assisted by Heather Stockwell, and bashed through all the popular numbers from the hit West End show, interjected with short, funny scenes which eventually revealed the shocking truth about the horrible head teacher. Children were clad in appropriate school uniform and there was an impressive set of oversized books arching over the stage from designer Hannah Calarco.
This was a well-told story and an impressive production with many outstanding young performers including Rosie Longstaff (Matilda), Huey Chambers (Mr Wormwood) Hannah Kuhnel (Miss Trunchbull) and Lucy Oxford as the brave young Amanda Thripp who had the unenviable task of being swung around by her pigtails and tossed into the wings before making a remarkable recovery, all of which taken easily in her stride.
If you’re looking for a fun family show in Hampton Hill this week then look no further.
Timothy Brett
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