The Lower School production of Matilda saw two sold-out performances on Thursday 19 June and Friday 20 June.
On the Wednesday before, students from nearby schools had the chance to enjoy a matinee performance.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
As a child, I was always a big Roald Dahl fan, but Matilda was my favourite of all. I admired her feisty personality, her tenacity in the face of adversity and the way she used wit and intelligence to rise above the world’s unfairness. I was especially captivated by the idea that when Matilda wanted something enough she could focus her mind so powerfully, that she could actually make it happen through telekinetic powers! So, when the opportunity arose to direct a Lower School production this year, Matilda the Musical felt like the perfect choice.
In many ways, Matilda is more relevant now than ever. In a world where young women often face pressure to conform, to be quiet, or to fit in, Matilda reminds us of the power of having a voice. The story encourages students to question authority when it is unjust, to seek out knowledge, to cherish kindness, and to take ownership of their own futures. For our students in 2025, this is a bold and empowering message.
Bringing this production to life has been a joy from start to finish. From tackling fast-paced, tongue-twisting lyrics and choreographing chaotic classroom scenes, to puzzling out how Amanda could be flung across the stage by her pigtails, the cast have thrown themselves into every rehearsal with energy, imagination and plenty of laughter. Whether piling mountains of blazers on Nigel in the playground (leaving Bea literally popping up for air, gasping!), marching in perfect time to Trunchbull’s commands, or launching themselves off the gym vault, every student has contributed to a production which has been a riot of fun to create!
Staging the Lower School production has involved nine months of rehearsals, logistics and a fair bit of organised chaos. It’s also taken a team of committed colleagues to bring the production to life. I’m incredibly grateful to Cassie Brockbank for her sharp, high-energy choreography, and to Helena Rakowski for expertly guiding both the band and cast through every musical twist and turn. Huge thanks to our technical whizz Jenny McNally-Cross for her creative expertise, and to Ella Day, our Drama assistant and go-to fixer of all things unexpected. And finally, many thanks to all the parents who rearranged meetings, ferried their children back and forth to rehearsals and waited patiently in the school car park – even when costume fittings mysteriously doubled in length!
So, now the time has come to sit back and prepare to watch all the creative magic come together: a world of punishing PE, colossal chocolate cake, and a nervy newt – where books are brilliant, parents are peculiar, and one extraordinary little girl shows us that sometimes, being a little bit naughty is exactly what’s needed to set things right!
L. Jewitt
