Matilda the Musical Australian Production
Book by Dennis Kelly, Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Matilda the Musical is a stage musical based on the children’s novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. It was written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. The musical’s narrative centres on Matilda, a precocious 5-year-old girl who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. After a twelve-week trial run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from November 2010 to January 2011, it received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre and its Broadway premiere on April 11, 2013 at the Shubert Theatre.
Sydney Lyric Theatre From July 25 2015
Australian Cast
Marika Aubrey – Mrs Wormwood
Daniel Frederiksen – Mr Wormwood
Elise McCann – Miss Honey
James Millare – Miss Trunchbull
More TBA
Australian Creative
Author: Roald Dahl
Book: Dennis Kelly
Music & Lyrics: Tim Minchin
Director: Matthew Warchus
Choreography: Peter Darling
Set & Costume Design: Rob Howell
Orchestrations & Additional Music: Christopher Nightingale
Lighting Design: Hugh Vanstone
Sound Design: Simon Baker
Illusion: Paul Kieve
Executive Producer: André Ptaszynski
Executive Producer: Denise Wood
Produced in Australia by The Royal Shakespeare Company, Louise Withers, Michael Coppel and Michael Watt
See Reviews from around the Globe at TheatreGold.com Reviews HERE
Productions
In 2009, the RSC announced its intention to stage a musical adaptation of Matilda, engaging Dennis Kelly as playwright, Tim Minchin as the composer and lyricist, Matthew Warchus as director, Chris Nightingale as orchestrator and music supervision, Rob Howell as set designer and Paul Kieve as illusionist and special effects creator. The musical opened at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, on 9 December 2010 following previews from 9 November.The show is choreographed by Peter Darling. Bertie Carvel headlined as Miss Trunchbull, with Paul Kaye and Josie Walker as Matilda’s parents Mr and Mrs Wormwood, and Lauren Ward as Miss Honey. Three young actresses, Adrianna Bertola, Josie Griffiths and Kerry Ingram, alternated in the title role. The show ended its premiere engagement on 30 January 2011.
In 2011, the musical received its West End debut at London’s Cambridge Theatre. The show was originally scheduled to begin previews on 18 October 2011, but because of structural and installation work at the theatre, the start of the performances was delayed until 25 October The opening night was postponed from 22 November to 24 November. The musical opened in London to uniformly positive reviews; Kaye and Carvel received high praise for their performances. The principal adult cast from the Stratford run reprised their roles in London. Eleanor Worthington Cox, Cleo Demetriou, Sophia Kiely and Kerry Ingram—the only one to reprise her role from Stratford—rotated in the title role.
On 29 February 2012, the RSC announced the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2013; it would still be set in England despite initial pressure for the show to be Americanised. On 19 July 2012, it was announced that the show would open on 11 April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre, with previews commencing on 4 March 2013. Bertie Carvel and Lauren Ward reprised their roles as Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey. Ted Wilson also continued as Eric. On 15 November 2012, the Associated Press announced that 9-year-old Sophia Gennusa, and 10-year-olds Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro—making their Broadway debuts—would alternately play Matilda.
In April 2012, Steve Furst and Haley Flaherty took over the roles of Mr. Wormwood and Miss Honey from Kaye and Ward. Two of the original London Matildas (Ingram and Kiely) were replaced by Jade Marner and Isobelle Molloy. Bertie Carvel left in July 2012 and the role of Miss Trunchbull was filled by David Leonard, who did not start until the main cast change in August because of injury. Four new girls took over as Matilda; Lucy-Mae Beacock, Hayley Canham, Chloe Hawthorn and Lara Wollington.
London Production Performs at The Royal Variety Performance 2012
Musical Numbers
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Act One
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Act Two
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