The White River Valley Herald

‘Matilda’ Makes Magic on Northern Stage

Theater Review


After more than 20 years, the annual winter musical at Northern Stage has earned itself a place on the holiday calendar. Before the official run even began, over half of the tickets for this year’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” had been sold.

In her announcements to the audience gathered for the final dress rehearsal, producing artistic director Carol Dunne warned, “If you have friends who are thinking about coming, have them contact us yesterday!”

“Matilda” is a treasure trove of theater delights buttressed by consistent high-energy performances from a richly talented cast of adults and young people.

The action is such that our audience literally had no chance to applaud until 16 minutes into the show. The full-stage set evoked a dark medieval sense at times, giving background to a 1970s living room, and the set changes between moments were highly choreographed, a talented performance unto themselves. The choreography was everything you’d hope to see on Broadway, which makes sense, since choreographer Natalie Malotke helped create the dances in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” for its Broadway run.

At various points, dancers use ribbons, handheld lights, and desktops to keep things fresh and lively. It is a total visual treat. “Matilda” is a musical. With an orchestra so large it has to be housed in a separate room, and, at times, almost 50 singers, the sonic effect is nearly overwhelming.

While the songs themselves are generally not memorable, they are tuneful and delivered with impeccable diction and clarity. And always with energy. The costuming and make-up required not just one, but two wig designers. Finally, there is magic.

The overall experience is somewhat like sitting under a theater piñata at the moment it is broken open.

For those unfamiliar with the story, Matilda is a young girl born into a family who has no use for her. Her mom is too wrapped up in herself and her love for dance competitions, and her father is a sleazy car salesman. They ship her off to a school run by the infamous Miss Trunchbull. The school’s motto is “students are maggots.” Matilda’s fellow students are a potpourri of bullies and the bullied, but all are united in their contempt for Miss Trunchbull. Their teacher, Miss Honey, is the counterpoint, a young woman who believes in kids, and recognizes that Matilda is endowed with an incredible intellect, and perhaps some special gifts.

Miss Trunchbull was memorably portrayed by Tom Ford. He makes for one very scary woman who still manages to be delightfully funny.

Alexis Sims gives us a Honey who has a voice like nectar. Both are new to Northern Stage.

Lisa Karlin and Matthew Patrick Quinn give us high-energy parents we love to hate. They are also new to Northern Stage. And our Matilda was Bebhinn Knudsen, an eighth grader from White River Junction. She projected an interesting mix of maturity and disconnect that worked well.

The strongest performance, however, belongs to the kids in the classroom. They were clearly having the time of their life, and that’s always a joy to watch

“Matilda’ is a full-blown celebration of theater and the rich imagination of Roald Dahl.

Serious credit must be given to director Eric Love, who is also the education director for Northern Stage. Gathering all of the pieces and presenting them as a coherent and resonant whole is yeoman’s work, and he gets my “yo” as a result.

“Matilda” runs until January 1 with performances offered almost daily. Ticket information can be obtained online at www.northernstage.org, or by calling 802-296-7000.