Review: MATILDA at The CAMBRIDGE THEATRE, LONDON
Tickets: Gifted
Date: 18th February 2023
Seats: A1, A2 (Dress Circle)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6y09atmhSk
The Songs
As should be the case with a musical, especially one as lauded as this one, the music is gorgeous. The songs do, for the most part, let the audience in on useful bits of the story, and not only are they great to listen to, but they are fun to watch as well. I do have a favourite; 'When I Grow Up' is always the one I'll turn to if I want to listen to something from the Matilda soundtrack. It's a heartfelt and emotional song, and it actually makes me a bit teary. After all, didn't we all want to grow up when we were children? Didn't we all think adults had the answers to everything? I particularly like the fact that Miss Honey - an actual adult - joins in with this song. Despite outward appearances, she doesn't feel like an adult. She hasn't found the secrets for scaring away the monsters under the bed. But she will when she grows up.
I also found that 'My House' was a particularly lovely thing to listen to. Miss Honey, played with exactly the right combination of timidity and determination by a step-perfect Lauren Byrne, is, without doubt, my favourite character and always has been ever since I first read the book as a child. So to see her portrayed so exquisitely on stage is something that gladdens my heart. 'My House' was poignant and powerful in equal measure.
'School Song' is another excellent piece of music. Cleverly using the alphabet to create the lyrics, the choreography was exceptional; I was holding my breath as the prefects were jumping from letter block to letter block without even looking, despite the fact that those same blocks were only appearing seemingly milliseconds before their feet came down.
I enjoy all the songs from Matilda, but that's not to say I think they're all necessary. 'Telly' is a good example. It's a fun song, and Rakesh Boury, who played Mr Wormwood had a great time singing it (and entertained the audience at the same time - always a bonus!). But I am a little baffled as to why the song comes where it comes and what it's meant to do.
We already have a very good idea of Mr Wormwood's character; he's a lazy, stupid, bully of a man. We also know that he hates books and loves his TV. So to have a song that tells us what we already know seems a little redundant. Plus, is it even really part of the show? It comes after the interval... or does it? When Rakesh Boury came on stage with his 1950's gooseneck microphone and trolley of library books, the house lights were still on. People were still buying ice cream or chatting or out at the bar or in the very long queue for the toilets. There is a bit of a comedy routine, some interaction with the audience, and then he starts to sing an admittedly funny song. But it was confusing. A lot of people started rushing to their seats, fearing they'd missed the start of the second act (had they? I have no idea!). It was all very bizarre.
The Staging
The set design for Matilda is fabulous. Before anything even starts, you can immerse yourself in the set by just looking around you. There are books all around, and there are words spelled out - try to see how many you can spot; it's a good game and is great at keeping children (of which there were many in the audience) occupied while they wait for the show to start.
Words are hugely important to Matilda - both the character and the musical - and they are everywhere. A clock has the word 'time' written on it. The word 'eat' is spelled out under open desks, Matilda's books labelled as 'library books', and so on. It's a nice nod to the book the story came from, as well as Matilda's special powers.
I loved the way the entire auditorium was used. Characters would routinely move up and down the aisles, which made the audience part of the show. And there was a delightful moment when the boxes lit up and were full of school children singing 'The Hammer'.
What Stood Out?
There is one song I've not mentioned yet, and it deserves a place in this section because it truly did stand out; 'The Smell of Rebellion' is hilarious, odd, exciting, clever, and energetic. The entire phys ed scene was superb and really was a highlight. It was Elliot Harper playing Miss Trunchbull that made it so good, and his dreamy expression when the song begs its audience to imagine a world without children had me in stitches. Neigh!
The swings used in 'When I Grow Up' were also impressive. Swinging out into and over the audience in such a graceful way was not expected, and I heard gasps when it happened. I also like that this scene started with little kids, moved on to the older ones, and ended with an adult. None of them feeling like grownups.
Oh, and then there is Amanda Thripp and her pigtails. I still don't know how it's done, and do you know what? I don't want to know. Let me have that magical theatre experience.
Final Thoughts
I worry when a film of a stage musical comes out that people will see the film and not bother to buy tickets to the show, especially with ticket prices being what they are. But as wonderful as the film was (and I certainly saw a few children wearing red berets in the audience for the live version of Matilda), nothing beats going to the theatre - there is a whole experience included, from travelling to buying a programme to the excitement when the house lights go down, the chatter in the interval... that can't be replicated by a film.
So I actually think that seeing a film based on a musical is a good thing as it could be the entry-level experience people need to persuade them to try the real thing. And if it means you can have those stunning songs and familiar characters whenever you want them, that's no bad thing either.
Matilda is at The Cambridge Theatre, and you can get tickets here: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/cambridge/
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