Matilda The Musical (West End) London Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (278)
See it if If you like kids casts who can kick butt on stage. A lot of points to them. Strong show for a young audience. Generally good fun.
Don't see it if I saw this when it was hugely hyped, so I’m not sure if my expectations were too high. I wasn’t a fan of the songs. I found them forgettable
See it if you want to see a show that's relatively true to the classic movie, with a great original score by Tim Minchin and some innovative staging.
Don't see it if you're not a fan of shows with a load of child actors or indeed, you don't have the patience for a theatre filled with children.
See it if You want to hear brilliant lyrics and a great adaptation of a classic
Don't see it if You dislike children or the source material.
See it if you love the film or just like being happy
Don't see it if you don't like musicals with lots of kids in it
See it if you have a child and it's the first thing they ever see
Don't see it if you're expecting anything too taxing Read more
See it if a good movie to musical adaptation. go for a fun, light show.
Don't see it if bit slow in some parts, only a few memorable songs.
See it if You like children singing and don't mind some miss dialogue and if you love anything twee
Don't see it if You want great acting or deep plots
See it if You want something fun, not to emotional or deep to transport you to a different world for a couple of hours with some fun music.
Don't see it if You want a more thought provoking show.
Critic Reviews (9)
"Warchus’ peerless production...is spectacularly staged. It feels both intimate and larger-than-life as we see the world through the unique prism of the older-than-her-years Matilda, a voracious reader and loner who is neglected by her parents...The expertly drilled cast of youngsters playing Matilda’s friends are playful and bring an infectious sense of fun and jeopardy to a show that is full of both qualities."
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"As for the children, they are irresistible, stomping and skipping through Peter Darling's angular choreography, thrilling young audiences and push-pulling grown-ups from tears to gasps to laughter with such relentless energy that it leaves you breathless, exhilarated and marvelling at the many ways in which Minchin, Kelly, and Dahl demonstrate that growing up is a lifelong endeavour. For kids, yes, but also for the children that we all remain at heart, this is wise, wicked, glorious fun."
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"Writer Dennis Kelly and composer and lyricist Tim Minchin go to the top of the class with this anarchically joyous, gleefully nasty and ingenious musical adaptation...It captures all the original's delicious nastiness...but it also celebrates the solace of books and the transforming powers of the imagination...The production has a razor-sharp tongue-in-cheek edge...Seldom has the inner rage of the hurt and powerless child been so effectively dramatised."
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"At the heart of this satisfyingly fresh adaptation of a cherished Roald Dahl story are Australian comedian Tim Minchin's music and lyrics, which ooze humour without veering towards smugness...This is true family entertainment. Children will enjoy its blissful mix of fantasy and irreverence and adults will savour it for these same reasons as well as a host of different ones. This generous, big-hearted piece is already being spoken of as one of the best new British musicals in years."
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"The creative team behind this RSC musical (first seen in Stratford last year) pitches the tone beautifully. They catch Dahl’s peppery, mischievous, dark imagination and tell his story of the gifted Matilda, her ghastly parents and her wicked headmistress with real zest. They create a show that appeals to children with its monsters and mess, and to adults with its message that reading is cool...On transfer, it has become overly shrill in places...But it’s still dark, daring and a lot of fun."
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"It is the best new British musical since 'Billy Elliot'...Dennis Kelly, who has adapted Roald Dahl’s famous story for the stage, has previously been responsible for some of the most violent and depressing plays I have ever endured. Here, in a spectacular transformation, he has discovered joy, humour and tenderness, and his script actually improves and deepens Dahl’s original...Matthew Warchus’s thrilling, warm-hearted production...constantly combines comedy with a sense of wonder."
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So, I would not go quite as far as my neighbour in describing it as 'brilliant', but Matilda the Musical is nevertheless hugely enjoyable and cracking Christmas fun.
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How they get such performances from such youngsters is the RSC’s own miracle. Mind you, they’ve got form on their side: Les Misérables anyone? Matilda might just have similar legs.
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