Last week, our school had a performance of Matilda Jr. at the LHPS Harriett Coleman Center for the Arts.  Some of my students attended the event and wrote reviews of the show.  We all agreed that every aspect of the performance was excellent!  Read the following review to hear more about it……

Teagan

Mrs. Darden

English 7 College Prep

19 April 2021

Matilda Review

This week I had the opportunity to watch Matilda Jr. I was originally going to be in the production but lost the opportunity because I was digital. In the production Matilda, based on the book by Roald Dahl, the main character Matilda falls in love with books and knowledge. Her parents the Wormwoods, however, treat her horridly and like she was dirt. They call her “a book worm” and try to stop her from reading her books. She is then sent to a terrible school where the Principal, Miss Trunchbull, tortures her students.  Miss Trunchbull believes that the way to educate children is by harsh discipline and labor. The only person Matilda can count on is her sweet teacher, Ms. Honey. Matilda decides to fight up for the injustices that she experiences in her life by revenge, and revolting. She then gets her peers to join in with her.

The music in this musical is the best part of the experience. You can feel the passion. The music moves the story along and keeps you attentive. It’s a whole experience. The first song is comical. Mr. Wormwood interacts with the audience, and then he goes on to tell how books are dumb and that the television is much better. A favorite song by most is probably “Revolting Children” where they fight for their rights and go against Ms. Trunchbull. Everyone has a song in them, either what they’re feeling eternally or what’s going on around them. Songs are arguably the most powerful things of all. This musical has songs that connect with the audience so well that your heart beats in sync with theirs and you’re dying to leap out of your chair onto the stage and sing with them.

The set helps you to be in the scene with the characters. Behind the bridge, there was a screen that showed different pictures in each scene to help the audience visualize what is happening. In the center hanging down from the bridge was another screen where they used shadows to help the audience visualize. They had boxes that they would use to sit or stand upon. The set ultimately was amazing along with proper use of props.

The lighting was ever-changing. If it was raining it dimmed a little. “Blackouts” would go dark, but you could still see the characters. If they were in school or at home they would keep the lighting up.

Matilda is an amazing musical with a great storyline, songs, and visually nice.  I would highly recommend this play.