Roald Dahl’s Matilda is one of the most popular and best-loved stories of the last century. Kids grow up learning the story of Matilda Wormwood and are inspired by the gifts that she employs to outsmart her wicked parents. We’re ecstatic to hear that Netflix has announced a new adaptation to be released just before Christmas 2022, so read on to find out more about what you can expect from this popular release.
Matilda the Musical
Although Matilda is a popular children’s book, it is perhaps best known as a movie. Released in 1996, the movie starred Danny DeVito, Pam Ferris, and Mara Wilson and has secured its spot as one of the most cherished children’s movies ever. However, it has enjoyed huge popularity on the stage, too and is one of the West End’s most popular musicals.
If you’ve never read or seen Matilda, it tells the story of Matilda Wormwood, a child with an exceptional thirst for knowledge who is constantly belittled and discouraged by her family. However, in spite of this adversity, Matilda learns some invaluable lessons and puts them to good use to bring an end to her suffering at home and at school. She forms a wonderful bond with her teacher, Miss Honey, and she uses her newfound skills to bring an end to the tyrannical reign of the school’s headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
The West End musical that so many of us know and love today started life at the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon in 2010 and has gone from strength to strength in the years since. It won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards when it debuted in the West End in 2011 and four Tony Awards when it went to Broadway. Today, it is the longest-running production to have ever played at the Cambridge Theatre, highlighting its incredible popularity.
The eagerly anticipated Netflix adaptation
There’s no doubting the exceptional popularity of the original book, Hollywood Movie, or West End stage production, so what can we expect from the new Netflix adaptation when it drops later this year? It will star Alisha Weir as Matilda, Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, and Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull. Matthew Warchus directs the show, which features the musical genius of Tim Minchin. The script is by the ever-popular Dennis Kelly. Ultimately, the Netflix adaptation introduces us to Matilda like we have never seen her before, and our next visit to Crunchem Hall is likely to be as mesmerising as those that have gone before it.
Matilda the Musical is set to be released on December 2, 2022, so it’s the perfect show to enjoy with your family in the lead-up to the Christmas break. But if you haven’t seen the original West End production, you’ve still got time to book your tickets before the latest adaptation of Matilda arrives on our screens. Matilda is still playing at London’s Cambridge Theatre and is booking until at least May 2023. All evening weekday performances of the show start at 7 pm.
As we’ve come to expect from Roald Dahl, Matilda is a story that teaches us many lessons and allows us to revel in the indefatigable nature of the human spirit. So, if you haven’t yet taken your kids to see the West End production of Matilda the Musical, now is the time to secure your tickets.
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