Review of Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre ***** (From News Shopper)

Review of Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre *****

3:16pm Thursday 29th December 2011 in Freetime latest news By Nina Massey

The Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of Roald Dahl' Matilda is a treat for children and adults alike.

Matilda the Musical is about a school girl who won’t let her parents or tyrannous headmistress get her down.

Dennis Kelly’s writing, combines with composition from Tim Minchin and Matthew Warchus' directing to create magic.

The songs, although unknown, are witty and add a perfect accompaniment to a show punctuated with side-splitting humour and moments of sheer delight.

Both the adult and the child actors perform each number with joy and exuberance, making it hard for the audience to resist dancing along in their seats.

Kerry Ingram, playing the title role on the night I saw the production, delivered each line perfectly with conviction and made me fall in love with that character from my childhood reading all over again.

Bertie Carvel dressed in drag as Miss Trunchball, brings to stage everything we love to hate about the headteacher who threatens her pupils with the "chokey" and swings them around by their pigtails.

For those of us who remember reading the book in our childhood, this production is a big slice of nostalgia comparable to Bruce's chocolate cake- indulgent, yet irresistible.

While for those who are coming across this story for the first time it's moreish and magical and is set to dazzle audiences at the Cambridge Theatre until February 12.