While the musical Matilda(book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, directed by Matthew Warchus) has lots of theatrical flashes and pyrotechnics in it, and a cute-as-a-button lead, Oona Laurence, as the smart girl surrounded by fools, it is an overly long, loud, raucous poorly-constructed play, filled mostly with caricatures rather than characters.
In Act one, we meet the over-the-top parents (the brash Lesli Margherita and the physically agile Gabrial Ebert). We virtually lose them in the second act, except for a terrific pre-curtain by Ebert. Same with Phillip Spaeth as a slippery snake of a dancer, Rudolpho. Gone.
Some melodies are memorable, like “When I Grow Up” and “My House.” But the English cast lose the (probably interesting) lyrics in an accent blur.
Matilda’s story is lavishly costumed by Rob Howell whose active sets are full of creative imagination. Lauren Ward, a lovely singer and fine actress, shines as the schoolteacher. Bertie Carvell, in drag, does an amusing turn as the dragon of a headmistress. Choreography by Peter Darling is crisp and angular, and full of energetic pizzazz. But at almost three hours, it’s really not for kids (nor for me).
