Spotlight: Cheer the Revolting Children in #MatildaTourMNL

Matilda was a constant companion during my childhood, both book and movie. She was the girl that was like me: a bookworm but without the unloving home and terrifying school (total opposite on both fronts for me). Roald Dahl's book was read multiple times and the movie watched anytime it was shown on TV (this was before the invention of VCDs, yes I'm that old).

I had only learned about the musical recently and jumped at the opportunity to watch it a the London West End production visits the Philippines for its International Tour.

PLOT:

I won't get into much detail since Matilda is beloved children's book and movie.

Basically the story revolves around Matilda, a very intelligent little girl who is born into a family that pretty much do not care for her existence one bit. She finally reaches the age that will be heading to school, which for Matilda, seems like freedom. School presents salvation in the form of Matilda's teacher Miss Honey, and terror in the form of headmistress Agatha Trunchbull.

What happens next is a great adventure of how Matilda take's charge of her life, because as she clearly states:

 Nobody but me is going to change my story. Sometimes you have to be a little bit...naughty.

THOUGHTS:

This was my first time seeing Matilda as a musical. I knew both the book and movie by heart -- but have not heard the songs since the musical debut at the West End back in 2011. I remedied that the night before watching the musical and my impression that this was going to be a children's musical was hit out the park.

Yes, the musical is for children but adults will relate to a lot of moments. There are even moments that will hit you right on spot, making the characters singing immensely relatable.

The incredible music and lyrics by Tim Minchin will captivate audiences of all ages. The songs were just too incredible, adding the brilliant choreography of Peter Darling, incorporating both young and seasoned members of the ensemble contributed so well at how this light narrative could mesmerize both children and adults alike.

Like when Matilda sung "Naughty", the words:

Just because you find that life's not fair. It doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it. If you always take it on the chin and wear it--Nothing will change. 

Is something you would expect from a child -- but also from an adult as well who wants to take charge of their life.

Matilda, played at the March 8 (matinee show) by the amazingly talented Sofia Poston, showed incredible maturity and yet a child longing to be free of her somewhat caged life due to her parents simplemindedness and lack of love for her.

And yet not all adults are like that--

Rafe Watts, who had dual roles of the Doctor and the Escapologist, really tugged at the heart strings when he sung about the miracle of life when Matilda was born and halfway through the show when as the Escapologist he sang his apology to his little girl for leaving her and focusing on his grief upon losing his acrobat wife. Rafe Watts sang those songs with so much heart that I couldn't help but feel for both the father and the daughter. It was such a moving performance. Not to mentioned during the performance of "Home" and he reaches out to touch his daughter, Ms Honey but was not able to do so...yes, I was deeply moved as many would be too with that much emotion in one song conveyed by Rafe Watts and Haley Flaherty as Ms Honey.

But Matilda is not just a sad story about love and loss---it's a story about a triumphant revolution against a villain. A villain sensationally portrayed by Hayden Tee. Agatha Trunchbull, the hammer throwing champion headmistress of the school.

Props to Mr Tee, I doubt anyone would be able to move with such grace and posture with that costume as he did and the way he did the choreography during "The Smell of Rebellion" was show stopping that there were actually cheers for Ms Trunchbull as she aced that incredible landing. Not to mention his amazing vocal range during that entire number was just truly spectacular.

Another character worth mentioning is the hilarious albeit makes your blood boil with how he treats Matilda is Mr. Wormwood played by Stephen Jubber. Mr Jubber has the most amazing physical acting I ever seen in a musical and his antics on onstage cannot be outdone by any I have ever seen. His acting especially with his all the props he's given deserves every laugh he garnered during the show.

Lest I forget the two songs that make Matilda the Musical such the award winning musical it is to this day. "When I Grow Up" and "Revolting Children".

"When I Grow Up" is such a simple yet deeply moving song. With the children's voices bringing life to the words as they swing across the stage, it gives a whole deeper meaning to what children of any day and age aspire to when they are young--freedom to do the things we want and not be afraid.

And they do just that.

Jaxon Cohen, the commendable actor who plays Bruce, the child who eats the entire chocolate cake and who has a belly much like the TARDIS -- my Whovian heart jumped out of her seat when she heard that particular lyrics, aptly started the song "When I grow Up" and was only right that he started "Revolting Children" with a great showcase of his vocal talent as he takes the lead in bolting Trunchbull out the door and out of their lives once and for all.

OVERALL:

Do not be fooled by the story you knew as a child because Matilda is not your average children's musical. It's just as much for adults as it is for children.

This was my first musical at Solaire that I was part of a show with a lot of empty seats -- which should not be the case as this musical, in my opinion, has everything. Such a remarkable cast, amazing songs, incredible choreography and a very imaginative set.

I cannot stress how in love I am with the music and lyrics. Maybe I am biased with the well known British wit and humor, but there are moments wherein you'll just burst out laughing -- I mean who wouldn't with:

Like Romeo and Juliet. That love and fate and a touch of stupidity

And then you can't help but tear up as the children swing along the set, singing about being grown ups and yet feeling so relatable as they wish to be grown ups to face their fears:

When I grow up
I will be strong enough to carry all the heavy things
You have to haul around with you
When you're a grown up
I will be brave enough to fight the creatures that you have to fight
Beneath the bed each night

Matilda the Musical and Roald Dahl gives us a very powerful message, that adults have forgotten what it was like to be tiny and vulnerable. That there are times that adults have no idea what's going on and that they are also helpless at the unfairness of it all -- but as Matilda reiterates throughout the show: If it's not right, you have to put it right. Even if you're little, you can do a lot. Nobody else but you can change your story. Sometimes all you have to do is to be a little bit naughty. ;) 😉

Details:

The Original London West End Production of Matilda the Musical will be performing in The Theatre at Solaire until March 22. Get your tickets now from TicketWorld!

Run time: Close to 2 hours with a 30 minutes with an intermission number of around 15 minutes.
Souvenir Program priced at 800(?) not really sure as I forget the exact price but it is in that range, other souvenir programs like shirts, jackets and Matilda dolls available. [Note: They are selling old souvenirs from previous shows at Solaire so budget time to look through the gift shop.]
Disclaimer: A lot of children in the audience so please do have patience when you hear them asking their parents what's going on or cry when the story is a bit sad. Just shows how moved they are by what they are watching.