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Overview

Synopsis

Matilda JR is the story of an extraordinary little girl with extraordinary powers. The daughter of abusive parents, Matilda finds refuge in library books, which she reads quickly and in creating her own stories. Things are no better at school, where Matilda also must face a tyrannical and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who believes in Crunchem Hall’s motto: “Bambinatum est Magitum,” or “Children are Maggots.” She finds companionship in her teacher, Miss Honey, who, though well-intentioned, is shy and fragile. Brave little Matilda knows she has to stand up against the adults in her world, and in doing so, discovers her own remarkable powers. Matilda’s bravery teaches Miss Honey and her classmates an important lesson -- that even though life can be hard, “nobody but me is gonna change my story” so “sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.”

Show Information

Music
Tim Minchin
Lyrics
Tim Minchin
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel Matilda
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2019
Genres
Dark Comedy
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
England, present
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Recording
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Female, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Female Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Matilda Wormwood

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Miss Agatha Trunchbull

Lead

Either Gender

Tenor, Alto

Miss Jennifer Honey

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Mr. Harry Wormwood

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Mrs. Zinnia Wormwood

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Bruce Bogtrotter

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Lavender

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Michael Wormwood

Featured

Male

Tenor

Mrs.Phelps

Featured

Female

Non-singer

The Escapologist

Featured

Male

Tenor

The Acrobat

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Amanda Thripp

Featured

Female

Soprano

Nigel

Featured

Male

Tenor

Alice

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Sergei

Ensemble

Male

Baritone

Rudolpho

Ensemble

Male

Tenor

Hortensia

Ensemble

Female

Tommy

Ensemble

Male

Tenor

Songs

  • Miracle – Children, Entertainer, Doctor, Mrs. Wormwood, Mr. Wormwood, Matilda, Company
  • Naughty – Matilda
  • Acrobat Story (Part 1)– Matilda, Mrs. Phelps, Acrobat, Escapologist
  • School Song – Children, Older Children
  • The Hammer – Miss Trunchbull, Miss Honey, Children
  • Naughty - (Superglue) – Matilda
  • The Chokey Chant – Older Children
  • This Little Girl – Miss Honey
  • Bruce– Children
  • When I Grow Up – Children, Miss Honey, Matilda, Company
  • The Smell of Rebellion – Miss Trunchbull, Children
  • Quiet – Matilda
  • Revolting Children – Children, Older Children

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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