Matilda mayhem springs into action

The children are revolting – but there’s fun, laughs, song and dance all the way in an Easter musical by Sheringham Little Theatre’s talented youngsters.

Matilda Junior tells the riotous tale of talented Matilda Wormwood, who is sent by her uncaring parents to Chrunchem Hall Elementary School.

She is pitched into the clutches of cruel authoritarian head Miss Agatha Trunchbull who hates children and enjoys devising new punishments for those do don’t stick to her rules.

But she meets her match in Matilda, who also discovers she has special powers to predict events and move objects with her mind, as the children set out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

Roald Dahl’s story was written in the 1980s, turned into a film in 1996 with Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull and then a musical remake in 2022 starred Emma Thompson in the role.

Seventeen year old Adele Peters plays Miss Trunchbull in the Sheringham production, with Iris Harker- Smith and Romana Li-Rocchi sharing the Matilda role.

Director Nick Earnshaw said: “It’s a great show with an important message for kids, that tells how children can overcome the forces trying to put them down.

“We had more than 50 youngsters audition for the 36 roles which is the best turnout for a youth musical show for years, which proves how popular it is among children.”

His favourite scenes include Bruce Bogtrotter eating a giant cake made from “fabric and kids”, and Matilda’s solo Quiet when she finds ways to deal with her struggle to cope with voices telling her off.

Rehearsals are already under way for the upbeat anarchy, with Charlotte Joyce and Tom Withington coaching singing and dance, and Nick joining the 10 days before the show opens on April 11. It runs until April 13 with shows at 7.30pm plus a Saturday 2.30pm matinee.

Tickets are £12.50 (£8.50 under 16s) and can be purchased here or call the box office on 01263 82234