Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre Review (2025)

Reviews

18 Jan

Matilda the Musical production image. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Written by Cathie for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

Matilda the Musical has been flying strong at the Cambridge Theatre for 14 years. This tale of a genius little girl who uses her brains and a little bit of magic to change her story into a better life. Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel and adapted by playwright Dennis Kelly and comedian-songsmith Tim Minchin, this has touched millions of theatre goers and while it’s amazing when it’s bright and cheerful, it’s even better when it’s deliciously wicked and nasty.

With the recent cast change to welcome in the new year, it’s fabulous to see the show as magical as ever. The titular role is played by a rotating cast of four girls (Anna Deikalo, Ava Posniak, Angelica Scott, Sophia Saravanan) and the night I saw Angelica Scott portraying the title role. She played the part with calm elegant poise and confidence well beyond her years and received many standing ovations at the end. This rotating cast is also the same for all 8 child performers. Bruce Bogtrotter played by Max Garlick and Lavender played by Sienna Culm were also standouts in making their characters larger than life. Much of the biggest plot points and songs all hinge on these children’s performance and they more than met the challenge. Special highlights include the newt incident and Amanda Thripps unexpected launch via pigtail hammer throw.

Tiffany Graves and Neil McDermott were brilliant as the Wormwoods and showcased their awfulness with sly charm and quick wit. Pearce Barron added comedic whimsy with his ditzy Mike and the trio’s spiteful chemistry works well as a foil to Matilda’s character and kindness. Sam Lips was a fantastically kitsch Rudolpho and I was in peals of laughter during each of his scenes. Eve Norris was a beautifully vulnerable and compassionate Miss Honey. She’s a women who despite her many scars is determined to help Matilda and her class with kindness and grace.

Of course with a show such as this it’s only as good as its revolting villain. Therefore much of the high stakes rested on Miss Trunchbull’s vicious spite. I saw understudy Jak Skelly absolutely shine as the Olympic champion villain and approached the role with a mincing girlish menace that brought chills to many adults and genuinely terrified many of the children in the audience to their obvious delight. They cheered the loudest when, despite the Trunchbull’s rallying screech of “BAMBINATUM EST MAGGITUM, she was spectacularly defeated by the power of revolting children. This cast had great chemistry together and their phenomenal dancing skills using the sharp choreography keeps the energy and pace fast and bubbling with jubilant tension throughout.

Even after 14 fantastic years in the West End, this juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. This new cast is absolutely phenomenal and brings Dahl’s characters to life in beautifully nuanced ways. If you’re looking for some wholesome magic, gigantic chocolate cakes and “little miracles” then l wholeheartedly recommend this show to you.