Currently celebrating 15 years on stage, Matilda The Musical has embarked on a UK and Ireland anniversary tour, bringing Roald Dahl’s beloved story of courage, creativity, and rebellion to vivid life once again. With book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, this Royal Shakespeare Company production remains a joyful and deeply clever celebration of imagination and individuality.
At its heart, Matilda follows an extraordinary young girl with a passion for books and a razor-sharp mind, who dares to stand up to her cruel parents and fearsome headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Along the way, she discovers her own power, both literal and emotional, and learns that even the smallest person can change their story.
The role of Matilda is shared equally by Madison Davis, Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara; whilst Oisin-Luca Pegg, Carter-J Murphy, Brodie Robson and Takunda Khumalo share the role of Bruce. In our performance Matilda was played by Madison Davis, and the role of Bruce was played by Brodie Robson. Both gave confident and endearing performances, with Madison capturing Matilda’s intelligence and quiet determination beautifully. I particularly enjoyed her performance of “Quiet”. Her expressive delivery and control brought the song’s emotion and subtle power to life, making it a standout moment in the show for me. Brodie shone in his big moment during “Bruce”, performing with gusto and charm that won the audience over instantly. The young ensemble delivered their scenes with infectious energy and enthusiasm, though at times it was a little difficult to clearly hear some of the younger cast’s dialogue, leading to a few missed lines here and there.
Tim Minchin’s score remains one of the wittiest in modern musical theatre, packed with wordplay, heart, and mischief. My personal favourite is “School Song”, an ingenious number that threads the alphabet through its lyrics while the choreography unfolds in perfect sync.
The combination of sharp movement and clever phrasing made the scene an absolute feast for the eyes and ears. Equally “Revolting Children” really packed a punch! It was bursting with energy, rebellion, and joy. The cast threw themselves into the choreography with such commitment that it became an exhilarating, triumphant moment, perfectly capturing the spirit of the show.
Richard Hurst as Miss Trunchbull was an undeniable standout. His incredible comedic timing, hilarious physicality, and larger-than-life mannerisms brought the terrifying headmistress to gleefully grotesque life. Every sneer, sniff, and exaggerated movement was pitch-perfect, earning some of the biggest laughs of the night. Another highlight came from Ryan Lay as Rudolpho. Though a smaller role, he performed it with absolute main-character energy. His flamboyant presence, over-the-top charisma, and dance moves were unforgettable—I was genuinely jealous of his flexibility (wow, those splits!) and his silky- smooth hips. Every time he appeared on stage, he completely owned it.
The production design remains inventive and full of energy, with colourful sets and playful transitions that perfectly capture the story’s mix of chaos and wonder. I particularly enjoyed the small details in the set, such as spelling the words “quiet” and “shush” within the stage’s letter blocks during the library scenes. Little touches that really reward careful observation.
However, some of the lighting was a little intense at times, particularly during the hair-swinging scene, where bright flashes and spotlights were almost blinding (be prepared!). While it added excitement and visual punch, it might catch some audience members off guard.
While Matilda The Musical is primarily a show for children, there is so much for adults to enjoy with clever lyrics, sharp humour, and wittily satirical moments ensure that the production is as entertaining for grown-ups as it is for the younger audience.
With its clever wordplay, striking visuals, and heartfelt message, Matilda The Musical continues to prove why it’s such a beloved modern classic. Despite some minor sound clarity issues and a few dazzlingly bright moments this touring production bursts with creativity, confidence, and boundless energy. There was a well-deserved standing ovation at the end, you simply cannot deny the amount of energy and hard work that every performer poured into the show. It’s especially impressive considering that the majority of the cast are young children, who definitely gave it their all. Their enthusiasm, discipline, and talent truly made the production shine.
Reviewer - Bethany Vakulich
On - 30th October 2025
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