King’s Ely: Matilda Jr - Anything But Revolting!

"As an NSTA representative, what a wonderful evening I spent at the King’s Ely Prep School production of 'Matilda Jr The Musical' on Saturday 7th February 2026 in the versatile Hayward Theatre. Directed by Miss Chadwick with Musical Direction by Mr Parsons, this was a production which exemplified an extraordinary level of coordination and creativity. Exquisite production design, thoughtful direction, and well-rehearsed vocals and choreography all integrated smoothly into the performance.

"Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, with a script by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical originally premiered with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2010 before moving to London’s West End in 2011 and Broadway in 2013. It won seven Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, and four Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical. Matilda Jr The Musical is a condensed version, adapted for younger performers and audiences, featuring the same story of a bright, resilient young girl who discovers her own power as she navigates a world filled with challenges, colourful characters, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

"Dahl’s wonderfully wicked stories for children make for terrific stage plays, built as they are around big, colourful characters, and Matilda is no exception. The heroine lives with her gruesome parents the Wormwoods and attends an institution run by the school bully, a hair-whipping former Olympic hammer thrower with a zest for traumatising the children in her care, Miss Trunchbull. The only pieces of sunlight in Matilda’s life are her trips to the library to visit Mrs Phelps, her kindly class teacher Miss Honey, and her own strength of character, which manifests in some rather magical abilities. Enormous chocolate cakes, literally far-flung children, and shady Russian ‘businessmen’ do not impede her progress as - gloriously if not always realistically - Matilda emerges triumphant. King’s Ely Prep School brought all this splendidly to the stage in a piece that was sharply directed and beautifully sung, and which offered a slick professional platform on which the young people involved could stand and shine. Which is, of course, the epitome of what an excellent Drama Department should deliver.

"Martha was a strong and confident lead as the eponymous heroine. She carried herself with self-assurance and poise throughout, and provided a plucky and commanding central figure, with excellent vocals and sharp characterisation.

"In other leading roles alongside Martha’s Matilda, there was further success. One might think that playing the teacher would be child’s play for pupils so regularly able to watch the subject of their imitation. Actually, it represents a huge challenge, as the young actors involved must impose themselves authoritatively, in the eyes of the audience, on a group of their own peers. So Jenny (Miss Trunchbull) and Bea (Miss Honey) should be particularly proud of the success they made of
these challenging roles. Jenny delivered a stomping, clomping, villainous Trunchbull who was a persistent scourge of the “maggots” while Bea brought out with great success the gentleness and warmth of Miss Honey in her very lovely performance.

"Above all, though, this production was a masterclass in the art of the cameo from the supporting cast. Matilda was surrounded by a constellation of larger-than-life goofiness, ranging from Silvia’s Lavender (who captured the character's signature daftness perfectly) and Sterling’s Nigel (another fine depiction of the slightly absurd), to Annabelle’s loveable version of the story-obsessed Mrs Phelps. And particularly masterly in this regard was William as the chocolate-cake troughing Bruce Bogtrotter. William is an accomplished actor, evidently with a very bright future in the theatre. Everything started in his eyes, which darted here and there throughout to convey the changing emotions and agonies of this maligned school child. It is always a sign of class when an actor breezes through a part while delivering the full story of the character so bewitchingly.

"As Matilda’s car salesman father Mr Wormwood, Isaac brought huge swagger and personality to the role from the very start, setting the tone and shape of his character with an excellent preamble about mobile phones, telling parents not to video and take photos in bold and brash
character. He went on to realise this character fully and with considerable stage presence, his performance even more colourful than his hair. Not to be outshone by her onstage husband, Betty brought the delightfully ghastly, 'danceaholic' Mrs Wormwood to life with vivid comic energy. And is there a more dazzling moment than the appearance of Rudolpho, the suave Latin dance coach? Charlie’s performance was utterly magnetic, carrying the energy right through the interval and into a triumphant finale. It was one maraca short of perfection.

"What a wonderful thing to see such strong professional school support for the staging of a show and such a lovely and capable cast taking full advantage of it. There were some strong lead performances and wonderful cameos, particularly from a particular scoffer of chocolate cakes. The lighting was top notch, costumes were bang-on, the set looked stylishly hand-crafted, and the singing was delightful; all the big numbers such as ‘When I Grow Up’ and ‘Revolting Children’ were nailed to perfection (well done Mr Parsons!). This was no ‘Miracle’, as ultimately everything was brought together with utmost care by Head of Prep Drama, Miss Chadwick, who can be very proud of all that was achieved here. Another fabulous production from the talented King’s Ely Prep School."