REVIEW: MAD Kids presents Matilda the Musical

The Malborough Amateur Dramatic Kids summer production is always a treat, but after 23 years of dedication and hard graft, this local theatre company is getting seriously good at putting on a show.

This year’s production is Matilda the Musical, an adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl book and film by the surprisingly talented Australian musician and performer, Tim Minchin.

If you’ve not heard the musical before, the songs are endlessly catchy, high-energy and technically rather complex, with dropped beats and a lot of words in a short time. I challenge you to try not to sing along, and then mess it up when you realise just how many words Tim has shoehorned in there.

Added to the challenge of the complex songs is the choreography, this year by MAD Kids alumna Charlotte Hodgson, whose vision for the show is stunning, immersing the audience in the energy and using some really creative approaches — if you’ve seen it you’ll have been wowed by the alphabet blocks and the beautiful on-stage swings.

Charlotte was assisted by long-term MAD Kids inmate Charlotte Simmonds, who couldn’t be around to perform in the show but brought her young professionalism to bear in the dance production.

Another alumna, Tilly Rigby, made her behind-the-scenes debut as stage manager, overseeing a lovely open-plan set design which used simple elements to move the action from place to place in a modern, stylistic fashion.

The lead character, obviously Matilda, is played by talented Alice Carrelli, who you may recognise from previous MAD productions. Carrying off a complex and emotional lead role at such a tender age is no mean feat, and we shouldn’t underestimate the amount of time and energy that Alice has put in behind the scenes to portray a sassy, spirited yet tender character.

She plays off beautifully against Isla Murray’s Miss Honey. Both actors sing beautifully and achieve a gentle, warm chemistry throughout - with Miss Honey struggling with insufficient self-belief as an adult, contrasting with Matilda’s abundance of confidence and maturity as a child. Isla is lucky enough to get a wonderful solo which showcases both the tenderness and power of her voice.

Of course, a musical needs a baddie, and Olly Simmonds rises magnificently to the call of the Trunchbull. It’s a difficult part to play — Miss Trunchbull is not just a two-dimensional monster, but needs an edge of gentle psychopathic malice.

If you know Olly’s energetic yet gentle nature in real life, you’ll be surprised to see how he conjures up the quiet bitterness, anger and rage to do the character justice. I was reminded of Imelda Staunton’s Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter films, but played as having a pounding hangover.

The comedy turns in Matilda are the Wormwood family, played by Brynn Walsh, Saskia Cohen and Ernie Lyle.

What a combination! Brynn transforms himself into a chancing spiv (think Del-Boy on amphetamines,) playing this fast-talking chancer with wonderful expressions and superb timing. His wife, played by Saskia, is taken straight from TOWIE.

Having been a warm, reliable chorus member in every MAD production since she was eight-years-old, Saskia really pulls it out of the bag in her final outing, with reactions and facial expressions worthy of Derry Girls’ Saoirse-Monica Jackson.

For an actor whose lines are basically the same single word repeated, Ernie Lyle portrays a perfectly hilarious Michael — such a great scene-stealing comic performance from a young actor in their first named role.

Abi Shea plays the sensitive and emotional librarian Mrs Phelps, reacting to Matilda’s storytelling as an adult with childlike wonder, again inverting her relationship with the young but precocious and pragmatic Matilda.

Old hand Millie Prowse and returning talent Elise Fredericks play the Escapologist and the Acrobat, with beautiful choreography performed with style, grace and emotion. Unfortunately this is Millie’s last MAD Kids outing, but hopefully Elise will be tempted back!

The lead schoolchildren — Isabelle Harrison, Bo Palmer, Ava Hardwick, Isobelle Davis, Darcey Lennon, Layla Quiggin and Eilidh Cook — sing beautifully and play their parts with great pizazz. I mean, who wouldn’t want to take Bo home with them after that performance?

Isabelle plays Bruce, a hapless child who (spoilers ahead) has to eat an entire chocolate cake in one sitting. Isabelle’s emotion, timing and enthusiasm are fantastic, with not just her classmates but the whole audience rooting for her.

The chorus step up to the challenging singing and complex choreography without missing a beat. It’s stunning to see just what this company can achieve, from the seasoned 18-year-olds right down to the youngest 8-year-old newcomers.

I’m mildly embarrassed to say that When I Grow Up had me in tears, with the power of over 50 performers filling Malborough Village Hall with bittersweet emotion.

Not a single child fails to deliver, but a handful deserve particular praise - watch Millie Robinson, Elloé Roberts and Daryna Handzeshyna’s absolute commitment to the emotion and energy of their performances for a masterclass in stage chorus acting.

With five actors “graduating” from MAD this year (having grown up too much,) it’s great to see ever more new talent rising through the ranks to fill the voids they will leave.

For the first time ever, the whole week’s performances were sold out in advance — not just to families and friends, but several visitors were gutted not to get seats!

So this was a tour de force, a credit to director Claire Miles' vision, patience, skill and experience, which really brings out the best in this already talented troupe. Of course, Claire herself has a great supporting cast of set painters, prop builders, vocal coach, make-up artists, costumiers, lighting and sound crews, front of house and child wranglers, with producer Jill Clarke overseeing the whole effort.

Let’s not forget the sheer amount of time and effort that goes into achieving such a great result — and also that every single person behind the scenes is a volunteer, giving their time freely.

Every year I wonder how MAD can top their previous successes, but they go from strength to strength. The next MAD performance will be the panto Aladdin in January. Book your tickets well in advance to avoid missing out!

[Review donated]