It’s true, sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty. Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre is a show that I cannot recommend enough. It is joyful. It is upbeat. It is fun. The stage is bursting with life, but in Matilda, a very touching, and very important story is told. 

I’m a huge fan of Roald Dahl and I loved Matilda when I was little, and as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate the story even more. As with a lot of Dahl’s stories, there is a darkness to Matilda. It is a story about a little girl who is neglected at home. She is not appreciated, she is not shown the care, love, or attention that she deserves. Matilda goes on to face more bullies at school, and this story is one that highlights how adults can abuse their positions of power. Sadly, there are people in this world who bully children, and they think that because they are bigger, and because they are older, they can do whatever they please. There are people who do not respect children, and I find that these people tend to forget that they were once a child themselves. Matilda is an intelligent, imaginative, kind little girl and she stands up for herself and for others when she thinks that something is not right or not fair, and by doing so, she is able to help others around her. 

I love the musical’s score. The music and lyrics are by Tim Minchin, who is of course known for his comedic musical style. The lyrics are a perfect mix of fun, and witty, yet I found myself emotional as some of the songs are rather poignant. 

I think my favourite song has to be When I Grow Up, because I think that this song is the perfect example of the mix of fun and poignant that I just mentioned. The stage is bursting with life, there are kids everywhere, there are slides and swings and it’s just glorious. It’s a song about children who are looking forward to growing up and they are singing about what they think growing up is. They sing about staying up late and watching tv until their eyes go square, and it’s brilliant. It is brilliant because I think this song captures what you think being a grown up is when you are little. It seems so freeing. You think you can do whatever you want, and to an extent you can, but when you are little you don’t think about jobs or bills or relationships or any of the less fun things that come with growing up. I remember this. I remember being little and just wanting to wear my Mam’s perfume and I couldn’t wait to be older because then I could have my own. The line that pulls on my heartstrings, the part that I think is very poignant is when the kids sing about how they will be braver when they grow up. They will be bigger, and braver, and stronger, and able to fight the creatures beneath the bed. This part gets me, because when you are a child, you’re dependent on the adults in your life and they are supposed to keep you safe, but sometimes we grow up and there are different creatures to face, they’re just not always under the bed. 

Matilda and Miss Honey are my favourite characters. They always have been. I find Miss Honey’s arc to be particularly touching because Miss Honey was that neglected, mistreated child. She didn’t have anyone to speak up for her when she could not do it for herself. Her monsters followed her into adulthood, and it is only when she meets Matilda, when she wants to help Matilda, that she is able to fight her creatures. I find this really emotional because I think that is a very layered moment. When Miss Honey helps Matilda, when she stands up for Matilda, I feel she is also standing up for herself, and more importantly, she is standing up for the little girl she used to be, and she does for Matilda what no one did for her. Together, Miss Honey and Matilda are able to be surrounded by people who love and appreciate them, and they stand up to their bullies together, because they’ve found strength in each other and it’s a really lovely arc. 

I have to take a moment to say that the entire cast was incredible, but I was blown away by the kids on that stage. Each and every one of them were fantastic. I love seeing talented young people getting to thrive on the stage and I am sure that all of these kids will grow up to do great things. The singing, the dancing, the timing was just amazing. It is a hard show, it is not watered down, they are on stage a lot, they’re an essential part of the show and I can’t applaud them enough. 

I hope Matilda The Musical tours again at some point in the future because I’d love to see it in Dublin. I would see it again in a heartbeat. It was just fantastic. It was a brilliant night out. 

Have you read or seen Matilda? Have you seen Matilda The Musical? Are you a fan of Roald Dahl and if so, which one of his works is your favourite? I’d love to know.

Kate xo.

* The following pictures were taken by myself, with my phone, and they may not be shared without my permission.*

Hello everyone. I am very happy to be sharing another #theatretrip discussion. Last night I went to see Chicago at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and it was brilliant. 

It was my first time seeing this show and I could not wait to get there. Chicago has been on my “must see” list for the longest time. 

It is no secret that Chicago is an iconic show, so I knew going in that it would be fabulous but actually seeing it onstage was something else. The show is sexy, precise, and full of incredible dancing. 

The sets are so simple. The costumes are striking despite being understated. Everyone is dressed in black. There are very few props, the odd hat, the occasional cane, a chair here and there, but everything is used very specifically. It works. The focus is on the actors. The music, the dancing, and the acting are what takes centre stage. 

I think that the ensemble was fantastic. It goes without saying that Chicago is known for Fosse’s iconic and specific choreography. Each move is absolutely precise. Each hand movement, each tilt of the hat, every single thing is done very precisely and very smoothly. It makes for a wonderfully sultry and engaging performance and I have huge respect for each member of the cast because the talent showcased on that stage was amazing to see. 

The show itself is iconic for a reason. The satirical story about the American justice system, corruption, and the role of media alongside the social commentary about how audiences will always love a scandal and a spectacle is just as relevant today as it was when the show first opened in 1975. 

Velma Kelly is an iconic character and the energy in the theatre was electric when All That Jazz started playing and Velma rose up from beneath the stage. Each character got their moment. 

Roxie Hart and Billy Flynn are a dynamic pair and I think their performance of They Both Reached For The Gun was my favourite part of the show although it is so hard to pick when each song is so memorable. 

It was amazing to finally see The Cell Block Tango live onstage and the harmonies in My Own Best Friend were beautiful. 

I have to take a moment to talk about the musicians. It is brilliant to see shows that highlight their musicians by having them be visible onstage. This is not always possible, but the setting of Chicago allows the musicians to be seen onstage and they were incredible. 

I especially loved that they performed an encore at the end of the show. I don’t know if they do this every time or if they did so because last night was opening night, but it was so much fun and I was very glad I got to be there. The musicians and the conductor looked like they were having the best time, as did the entire cast, which only added to the wonderful energy in the theatre. The atmosphere was perfect and it made for a fantastic evening. 

It is so great to be able to attend shows again. I am very lucky that I live close by so that I can go and see the shows that come to Dublin. I would go to see Chicago again in a heartbeat and I would highly recommend  it to anyone who is considering going to see it. You won’t regret it. 

This has been my latest #theatretrip and I am very excited as over the next few months I have some more shows lined up that I cannot wait to see. 

Have you seen Chicago? What did you think? 

Kate xo.