Roald Dahl's celebrated story of Matilda, a 7 year old-prodigy with a love for learning, is filled with enthusiasm and youthful delight, and is adapted extremely well to the stage by librettist Dennis Kelley and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Children comprised a large part of audience, and while the production is certainly tailored to the younger demographic, it is sure to be enjoyed by spectators of any age. The story promotes finding enjoyment in books and human interaction rather than artificially through a television screen, and this is a message children, and indeed our society as a whole, is sorely in need of hearing right now.
The acting is superb all around, and special attention is certainly due to Adrianna Bertola and Bertie Carvel for their portrayals of Matilda and Mrs. Trunchbull respectively. Bertola, who is on stage throughout nearly all of the two and half hour show, comes across as an utterly convincing seven year-old, and sings with a confidence and maturity beyond her years. Carvel plays a menacing school principal, and finds a perfect medium for depicting a formidable woman without exaggeration and over-dramatization.
The set is also a high-point, and draws the audience into the story before they even set foot in the auditorium. Chalkboards in the lobby are filled with the exclamations and commentary of previous attendees, and spark an excitement to see what is inside. A backdrop of towering bookcases is the center of attention on stage, and Scrabble tiles on the surrounding walls complete the classroom decor.
Finally, the original score from Tim Minchin is lively and clever, adding a dynamic energy to the story that neither the book or the movie could provide. Needless to say, I can't wait until the cast recording comes out.
I felt that the show was a resounding success in every respect. All of the production elements worked together beautifully, and complimented a story that is both entertaining and relevant to our culture today.
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