Matilda the Musical Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh 5th March 2026 Review
Matilda the Musical is at the Playhouse Theatre Edinburgh from Wednesday 04 to Sunday 22 March and this show, based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children's novel, has already proven itself to be a big success with audiences since its first performances in 2010.
Like so many of Roald Dahl's stories, there is a darkness to it which children so often instinctively like, and this story of Matilda Wormwood, a bright, gifted, but often neglected young girl, certainly falls into this category.
Matilda is a Royal Shakespeare Company production, with the book for this show by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and although Matilda the Musical does not follow the original story in every detail, it adapts to stage a production that has that story telling feel that Roald Dahl readers have come to love over the years. There are also some classic show songs here too. Interestingly, the writer and story were in place for RSC's Matilda before the composer and songs, which is not the usual way a show like this is created.
This RSC production, with development and direction by Matthew Warchus, choreography by Peter Darling, set and costume design by Rob Howell, plus many other hugely experienced industry professionals, is one of those shows that obviously has big production values and standards throughout every aspect of this stage show. This is obvious from the start to the finish of this show.
The theatre industry in general needs shows like Matilda as they provide opportunities for young performers to gain much needed experience on and off stage, but I am always surprised just how confident they are, particularly when, like tonight, they are the focus of so much of the show. There are strict rules as to how long young performers can work, so a show like this will always have several different people prepared to perform any particular role on a given night. For tonight’s performance, these were the role of Matilda by Madison Davis and the role of Bruce played by Carter-J Murphy. A special note does have to go out here of course to Madison Davis for her performance of Matilda; it was obviously exactly what this audience wanted tonight.
Matilda's home world is dominated by the total neglect of her talent by her parents, and here Samuel Leon and Rebecca Thornhill as Mrs and Mrs Wormwood provided much of the humour that set the tone for Matilda. Together, they are a classic old vaudeville comedy duo, and if possible try and catch some of Samuel Leon's comedy routine at the interval of this show.
The two other defining characters in Matilda's life were of course, the school headmistress from hell, Miss Trunchbull (Richard Hurst) and the teacher in total contrast to her approach to educating children, Miss Honey (Tessa Kadler). Librarian and listener to Matilda's stories, Mrs Phelps (Esther Niles) nicely provides that meeting point for Matilda between her, at times, fantasy world of books meeting the harsh reality of her home life.
Casting Miss Trunchbull in a male role (dressed as a female former champion shot-putter) works so well here, and Richard Hurst is so obviously enjoying his wonderful over the top performance of this character, and he gets so many opportunities to do so. This show also allows for some interesting, character development of Miss Honey, and Tessa Kandler was just right for this role.
Matilda is of course a musical, and Tim Minchin has with his words and music created more than a few classic stage show songs here, and these are so often, despite the ease of which they flow in this production, playing with complex rhythms and timings.
This is one of those rare things, a true show for all the family, but remember, as we are told in the song "Naughty", "sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty". Make of that whatever you want.
Review by Tom King (c) 2026
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com
Like so many of Roald Dahl's stories, there is a darkness to it which children so often instinctively like, and this story of Matilda Wormwood, a bright, gifted, but often neglected young girl, certainly falls into this category.
Matilda is a Royal Shakespeare Company production, with the book for this show by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and although Matilda the Musical does not follow the original story in every detail, it adapts to stage a production that has that story telling feel that Roald Dahl readers have come to love over the years. There are also some classic show songs here too. Interestingly, the writer and story were in place for RSC's Matilda before the composer and songs, which is not the usual way a show like this is created.
This RSC production, with development and direction by Matthew Warchus, choreography by Peter Darling, set and costume design by Rob Howell, plus many other hugely experienced industry professionals, is one of those shows that obviously has big production values and standards throughout every aspect of this stage show. This is obvious from the start to the finish of this show.
The theatre industry in general needs shows like Matilda as they provide opportunities for young performers to gain much needed experience on and off stage, but I am always surprised just how confident they are, particularly when, like tonight, they are the focus of so much of the show. There are strict rules as to how long young performers can work, so a show like this will always have several different people prepared to perform any particular role on a given night. For tonight’s performance, these were the role of Matilda by Madison Davis and the role of Bruce played by Carter-J Murphy. A special note does have to go out here of course to Madison Davis for her performance of Matilda; it was obviously exactly what this audience wanted tonight.
Matilda's home world is dominated by the total neglect of her talent by her parents, and here Samuel Leon and Rebecca Thornhill as Mrs and Mrs Wormwood provided much of the humour that set the tone for Matilda. Together, they are a classic old vaudeville comedy duo, and if possible try and catch some of Samuel Leon's comedy routine at the interval of this show.
The two other defining characters in Matilda's life were of course, the school headmistress from hell, Miss Trunchbull (Richard Hurst) and the teacher in total contrast to her approach to educating children, Miss Honey (Tessa Kadler). Librarian and listener to Matilda's stories, Mrs Phelps (Esther Niles) nicely provides that meeting point for Matilda between her, at times, fantasy world of books meeting the harsh reality of her home life.
Casting Miss Trunchbull in a male role (dressed as a female former champion shot-putter) works so well here, and Richard Hurst is so obviously enjoying his wonderful over the top performance of this character, and he gets so many opportunities to do so. This show also allows for some interesting, character development of Miss Honey, and Tessa Kandler was just right for this role.
Matilda is of course a musical, and Tim Minchin has with his words and music created more than a few classic stage show songs here, and these are so often, despite the ease of which they flow in this production, playing with complex rhythms and timings.
This is one of those rare things, a true show for all the family, but remember, as we are told in the song "Naughty", "sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty". Make of that whatever you want.
Review by Tom King (c) 2026
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com