Susan Granger’s review of “Matilda the Musical” (Shubert Theater – 2012-2013 season)
Inspired by the late Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel and nurtured by Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company, “Matilda” is destined to follow “Annie” as Broadway’s favorite family entertainment choice.
Solemn ‘n’ spunky, five year-old genius Matilda Wormwood (Milly Shapiro) lives a bleak, hard-knocks life as the unwanted daughter of a dancing-obsessed mother (Lesli Margherita) and con-man father (Gabriel Ebert). Her verbally abusive parents disapprove of her nasty habit of reading books and, worse yet, thinking. Until she’s old enough to go to school, Matilda’s only refuge is the library, where she’s encouraged to tell fanciful tales to a rapt librarian (Karen Aldridge). When she turns six, Matilda’s sent to Crunchem Hall, ruled by a cruel, nasty headmistress, Dickensian Miss Agatha Trunchbull (cross-dressing Bertie Carvel). Then she’s befriended by a kindly teacher, Miss Honey (Lauren Ward), whose life seems to have sprung out of one of Matilda’s on-going stories. As she’s struggling along with other ‘revolting’ students in a subversive battle of wits, Matilda suddenly discovers that she has telekinetic powers!
Matilda’s sophisticated signature song, “Naughty,” comes early, as she muses why ill-fated characters like Jack & Jill and Romeo & Juliet have allowed themselves to become victims, questioning: ” I wonder why they didn’t just change their story?”
Adroitly directed by Matthew Warchus (“God of Carnage,” “Ghost”) from a book by Dennis Kelly with quirky, audacious songs by Australian comedian/singer Tim Minchin, it’s cleverly designed and costumed by Rob Howell and lit by Hugh Vanstone – with illusions by Paul Kieve (“Ghost”). Scrabble letters abound, along with books and blocks, all utilized as part of Peter Darling’s inventive choreography. Four youngsters rotate in the role of Matilda, including Milly Shapiro (whom I saw), Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence and Bailey Ryon – just as three boys played the role of “Billy Elliot.”
Those familiar with Matilda’s edgy, somewhat dark fantasy are obviously enchanted, but newcomers may struggle a bit to decipher the lyrics, sung at top volume with shrill English accents. But that’s a minor quibble, amidst the awesome eye-candy, including trampoline acrobatics, laser beams and canons filled with confetti.