We were given tickets for the purpose of this review.

My first experience with Matilda the Musical was on my 24th birthday. MM surprised me with tickets to see the show on the day.

Pops has been in love with the movie for over a year now and would watch it every day if I let her. As soon as I saw that the show was coming to Cardiff I knew I had to take her along to see it.

We’ve been playing the musical’s songs at home since I found out we were going and it was so nice to watch Pops sing along to songs she knew. It made her feel more part of the show. I think this is really helpful with younger kids!

Initially I was worried about taking her to such a late show on a school night because I thought she would be too tired or get restless and start playing up or even fall asleep. The show was so fun and full of character that it kept her attention really well throughout, so much so that she got upset during interval thinking it was over already.

There was so many parts of the show that I loved and the set was so simple and clever at the same time. It was made up of letter blocks and squares and was really well integrated throughout the show for things like chairs and bookshelves in the library.

I’m always in awe of people who perform on stage and watching a show which is made up of so many younger children just blew me away. The confidence and skill these kids have is incredible and truly amazing to watch.

There are some differences to the show but the main characters you know and love are all the same Miss Honey is just as beige as in the film, although I think the character is a bit boring I can’t say the same for Carly Thoms who played her. Mrs Wormwood (Rebecca Thornhill) and Mr Wormwood
(Sebastien Torkia) are just as dismissive of Matilda and yet somehow a little likable. Miss Trunchbull was perfectly portrayed by Craig Els but at some points I found it a little pantomime. Although the adult performs were amazing I do think the children stole the show.

Matilda: Scarlett Cecil

Bruce:Cuba Kamanu

Tommy – Kit Swaddling

Nigel – Ashton Murphy

Eric – Ilan Miller

Hortensia – Maddison Lowe

Alice – Georgia Mae Brown

Lavender – Chantelle Tonolete

Amanda – Jessica Chalmers

Over all I think it’s a great show to go see as a family. I wouldn’t say it’s the best musical i’ve ever seen but it really is something special and it’ll be up there as one of my favourite shows because it’s the first show (not including panto or children’s shows) that I went along to with Pops. The moment she turned to me and said ‘ I just want to be up on that stage’ is one i’ll never forget. When Matilda walked out on stage at the end her face lit up and she clapped and gave a standing ovation (not that she knew that’s what she was doing) was adorable. It’s safe to say my streak of crying at the end of theatre shows hasn’t ended.