Matilda the Musical, Cambridge Theatre review ★★★★★

Roald Dahl’s story of a child genius with magic powers who brings anarchy then justice upon her little world is, it turns out, perfectly adapted for the stage. This production, underpinned by the likes of Tim Minchin and playwright Dennis Kelly, has raked in the awards, from a few Tonys in its New York run to a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Olivier Award wins (7 in 2012).

Matilda is a gutsy little girl whose phenomenal brainpower goes unnoticed by her couch potato parents, and is utterly reviled by her troll of a headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. The script gives ample opportunity for the young cast to exhibit their spectacular, stamping energy in a brilliantly choreographed swing scene (Peter Darling’s choreography and Rob Powell’s set are cornerstones of the production) and plenty of schoolroom antics.

The RSC’s Matthew Warchus directs (his Shakespeare-heavy career would certainly have won Dahl's approval), and the brilliant cabaret songwriter Tim Minchin is responsible for the raucous music and lyrics. If Dennis Kelly’s script is a little black, it’s nothing to his previous plays (which feature a spot of mass sterilisation and patricide), but then Dahl was never one to shirk a touch of the grisly, and it only fuels the brilliance of this production.

Suitable for ages 5+