(NOT SO) REVOLTING CHILDREN
Matilda the Musical
In the last ten years I have seen several stunning productions featuring Warminster pupils and I must say, Matilda was up with the best. A cast of about 30 really powered through Tim Minchin’s great songs and brought the pupils of Crunchem Hall to life. It constantly impresses me how much talent our pupils show, and every single performer threw themselves into the performance.
The main role was played (on the night I was there) by Lorretta Iles (Siena Marshall played the role on some performances). Lorretta invested the role with such confidence, with an amazing singing voice and real character. Her interaction with both her family members and the teachers at the school was really impressive. Her family were an appalling bunch. Her father was played brilliantly by Noah Whitehead in the most disgusting tartan suit which he reflected in his repulsive character, constantly referring to Matilda as a boy and trying to organise dodgy deals with shady Russians. His wife, played by Amelie Grewal, was equally vile, being more concerned with her dancing classes with Rudolfo, a flamboyant Monty Best. Despite their dialogue being limited to a few words, the Wormwood’s son, played by Inga Pohl was a comic triumph.
As for the other characters, they all stood out. The librarian (Wizzie Maynard-Griffin) was a wonderfully touching character, listening so attentively to Matilda’s stories of the escapologist (Alfie Burns) and the acrobat, played by Chiara Gavazzi, who had to twist and turn whilst hanging from a hoop suspended from the roof – my heart was in my mouth every time she hung upside down.
However, it was the two teachers who, with Matilda, stole the show. Alfie Crinion was a threatening Miss Trunchbull, stalking the aisles of desks and threatening the pupils with ‘choky’ or, in the case of Bruce Bogtrotter (Joseph Williams), force feeding them with chocolate cake.
The final standout performance of the night was Anna Williams as Miss Honey, Matilda’s caring teacher. She confronted Matilda’s mother and Miss Trunchbull with a quiet determination and brought a real tenderness to the role.
The whole production was professional, with fast moving school desks and swish choreography. Mrs Harris, Mr Leveridge and Miss Baker should be congratulated on such a strong production, but it was the cast who really brought it to life. Well done to one and all.
J. Robertson