Seeing Matilda on stage at Birmingham Hippodrome is a revelation. The film is enjoyable, but Tim Minchin's witty, heartfelt score gains energy and emotional depth when performed live. From the opening number, the audience is immersed in Roald Dahl's world.
Young Cast Shines
The production's greatest strength is its child actors. Eleven-year-old Sanna Kurihara, who played Matilda on the night, delivers an impeccably complex performance, flitting between star and narrator. She shares the role with Madison Davis, Mollie Hutton, and Olivia Ironmonger. Oisin-Luca Pegg, as Bruce, is equally excellent, sharing the role with Carter-J Murphy, Brodie Robson, and Takunda Khumalo.
The young cast carries the production with remarkable confidence, charm, and talent. Their performances are full of personality and infectious enthusiasm, never relying on cuteness alone. The acting is genuinely impressive, allowing emotional moments to land as effectively as laugh-out-loud scenes.
Adult Performances Complement
Richard Hurst is wonderfully commanding as Miss Trunchbull, balancing menace with comic timing. Adam Stafford delights as Mr Wormwood, throwing himself into the character's arrogance and earning big laughs with audience interaction.
Visual Spectacle
The production is visually appealing. A memorable sequence brings the alphabet to life with a climbing frame that transforms the stage. Another beautiful number features children soaring on swings, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. These moments demonstrate why live theatre is magical—the spectacle unfolds in real time.
Family-Friendly Value
Despite a longer running time, the show maintains momentum with a balance of comedy, music, emotion, and spectacle. Tickets from £25 offer good value for a production of this scale and quality. It serves as a perfect introduction to live theatre for younger audiences, while adults appreciate the sharp humour, clever lyrics, and outstanding stagecraft.
Whether discovering Matilda for the first time or coming from the film, this production proves why it is a modern classic—funny, moving, visually dazzling, and filled with exceptional performances.
