Matilda The Musical Is An Uplifting Story Full Of Heart & Humour
These are good days for musical buffs. Critically raved musicals, from MAMMA MIA! to HAMILTON, have been landing in Singapore one after the other. The latest touring show on our shores is Matilda The Musical at Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Having devoured Roald Dahl's books, especially Matilda, as a child, expectations were sky-high, and I'm happy to report that they were met!
This multi-award-winning production is produced by GWB Entertainment in association with The Royal Shakespeare Company and presented in Singapore by Base Entertainment Asia. It has been so well-received that there was even a Netflix film made based on the musical. If you've seen it, you'll recognise the same music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and storyline by Dennis Kelly.
Much of Matilda The Musical is set in a classroom, which isn't the most visually exciting place, but the team designed a stunning school-inspired set with a creative wooden alphabet block theme. These blocks were used creatively as an imposing backdrop, shelves of library books and even gym equipment.
Unexpected choreography and dramatic lighting effects brought even more life to the stage, coupled with upbeat tunes and stunning performances from the cast.
Photo from Matilda The Musical
Everyone was serving vocals to a tee from enunciation and tone quality to power and emotional expression. Yolani Balfour, who played the titular Matilda Wormwood during this show, was an adorable vocal powerhouse. The rest of the kids were also just as outstanding. Particular standouts were the actors who played Lavender and Bruce. These wildly talented kids had fantastic comedic timing and were always captivating to watch.
Photo from Matilda The Musical
Mr Wormwood and Mrs Wormwood, played by Matthew Rowland and Emily Squibb respectively, were deliciously awful. This ridiculous duo, along with the vaguely Italian dancer Rudolpho, played by Ryan Anderson, was impossible not to love. They were always up to something terrible yet hilarious, even when the scene wasn't focused on them.
Photo from Matilda The Musical
James Wolstenholme as Miss Trunchbull was another highlight of the musical, with her imposing and eerie presence. This character is traditionally played by a man, and boy, does it work! Her two most iconic moments, swinging a child by her pigtails and forcing Bruce to eat a whole chocolate cake, were brilliantly choreographed and performed. My childhood self would have been amazed and horrified in equal measure.
Photo from Matilda The Musical
The story ends with a happy ending, of course, finishing with an uplifting closing number and Matilda's iconic power pose.
If I had to nitpick, the melodies aren't the most catchy. Typically, I'd be humming to a few memorable tunes after watching a musical, but not a single hook stayed with me after Matilda The Musical. Nonetheless, the show in its entirety was too impressive not to remember fondly of for a long time.
If you're in for a heartwarming, funny and introspective show that'll brighten your week, catch Matilda The Musical at Sands Theatre from now till 7 April 2024. Get your tickets at sistic.com.sg, klook.com or marinabaysands.com from $68.
