One of the biggest hits on the West End – and worldwide – stage transfers to the big screen this week. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, the all-singing, all-dancing version of the Roald Dahl novel, arrives with all the colour and exuberance you’d expect – and could be this year’s big Christmas musical.
For those who’ve never seen it or read it, young Matilda (Alisha Weir) spends much of her time in the world of books, as an escape from her dreadful parents. They’re not especially interested in her – trash TV and iffy money-making deals are more their thing – so eventually they send her off to the grim-sounding Crunchem Hall to be educated. It’s the domain of the villainous, and child-hating, Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson) but, among all the cruelty and bullying, there’s a ray of hope – the inspirational Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch) who, alongside some of the other children, encourages Matilda to stand up for what is right …..
In this exclusive interview, director Matthew Warchus and writer Dennis Kelly – both of whom were behind the original stage musical – discuss why they believed Dahl’s book would make a stage show and how they had to change it when it came to making the film. They also reflect on the demands of working with the 300 children who were in the cast, and share their thoughts on chocolate cake!
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is released in cinemas on Friday, 25 November.
