Matilda The Musical (West End) London Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (385)
See it if You want to see the best show around.
Don't see it if You don't like watching kids be amazing?!
See it if you great family shows
Don't see it if you hate the story
See it if You love a wild, clever well-staged musical full of talented children
Don't see it if You can’t willingly suspend your disbelief of fantastical phenomena
See it if you want an absolutely charming time at the theatre. Minchin's words are fantastic, the staging is great and you will be uplifted.
Don't see it if you are not a fan of Dahl or Minchin. The fantasy elements will annoy you. You don't like children.
See it if You want lyrics that out-do every other show on the west end. A really gorgeous production.
Don't see it if You are unwilling to tap into your inner child.
See it if You like the book. This show had amazing songs
Don't see it if You are a bugger fan of the 90s movie than the book
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 Tim Minchin has created a musical that withstands the test of time. Total delight for all ages.
Don't see it if Some aspects remain for children but there are a bunch of scenes geared for the adults in the room.
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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