Five Lessons We Can Learn From Matilda The Musical
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| By
Ellie Bannerman
(Updated on Sep 5, 2025)
On Tuesday night I returned to the Cambridge Theatre to revisit one of my all-time favourite West End shows: Matilda the Musical. Having first seen it last May, I’ve been completely hooked on the original cast recording ever since. Going back for a second time, my expectations were sky-high - and the show still managed to exceed them.
What made this performance even more special was the fact that it was the very first night for much of the new cast. You’d never have guessed it, though; their energy, polish, and sheer joy made the audience forget they were witnessing debuts. That’s the magic of Matilda: it pulls you straight into the mischievous world of Crunchem Hall, where rebellion, wit, and heart shine through.
Here are the five big lessons I took away from my latest trip to see Matilda the Musical.
Lesson 1: Tim Minchin should write more musicals
Tim Minchin’s music and lyrics are the heartbeat of Matilda the Musical. His score is clever, witty, and emotionally rich - seamlessly jumping from laugh-out-loud humour to delicate moments of reflection. Numbers like the explosive opener “Miracle”, the deeply moving “Quiet”, and the outrageously funny “The Smell of Rebellion” are proof of Minchin’s genius.
And here’s the thing: Minchin has proven he can strike gold again. He wrote the music and lyrics for the Olivier Award-winning Groundhog Day musical, which premiered in London in 2016. That show received eight Olivier nominations and took home two wins, before transferring to Broadway and later touring Canada, Japan, Australia, and the US. Beyond the stage, Minchin also wrote additional songs and music for the 2022 film adaptation of Matilda the Musical.
If this isn’t proof that Tim Minchin should write more musicals, I don’t know what is. The West End and Broadway would both be richer for it.
Lesson 2: Not all children are maggots
Miss Trunchbull may call her students “maggots,” but when it comes to the audience, kids are anything but. I’ll admit, I went in slightly worried. Two and a half hours is a long time for little ones to sit still, and I half expected fidgeting, whispering, or the dreaded glow of phone screens. To my surprise, every child around me was transfixed from start to finish.
That’s the true power of Matilda the Musical. It’s a show so engaging that even the youngest audience members are utterly spellbound. Instead of distractions, all I heard was laughter, gasps, and pure joy. When a production can keep kids and adults equally captivated, you know you’ve got a modern classic.
Lesson 3: Theatre magic at its cleverest
One of the great delights of Matilda the Musical is how ingeniously it brings Roald Dahl’s world to life. Even as a seasoned theatregoer, I found myself constantly asking: how on earth did they do that?
From the jaw-dropping scene where a child is swung high into the air by her pigtails, to the razor-sharp alphabet choreography in “School Song”, the staging is endlessly inventive. It’s a reminder that theatre can still surprise us, even in an age where CGI and special effects dominate entertainment. In Matilda, the stage becomes its own playground of wonder and mischief.
Lesson 4: A brilliant new cast lights up the stage
Catching the debut performances of a new cast is always exciting, and the fresh company of Matilda the Musical delivered beyond expectation.
Eve Norris brings warmth and soaring vocals as Miss Honey, filling the Cambridge Theatre with tenderness. Kieran Hill continues to terrify and amuse as the monstrous Miss Trunchbull, a performance equal parts hilarious and horrifying. The children, as always, steal the spotlight. Suki Hiller is a magnetic new Matilda, capturing both the character’s fiery intelligence and quiet strength. Meanwhile, Adam Hussain delights as Bruce, particularly in the uproarious chocolate cake scene that had the whole audience cheering.
If this was their first night, I can only imagine how much sharper, bolder, and more electric their performances will become as the run continues.
Lesson 5: Matilda the Musical is for everyone
You don’t need to be a child, or even bring one along, to enjoy Matilda the Musical. This is a show that balances heart, humour, and high-energy spectacle in a way that appeals to audiences of all ages. Five-year-olds giggle at the cheeky jokes, while adults appreciate the razor-sharp lyrics, inventive staging, and emotional depth.
At its core, Matilda the Musical is about courage, imagination, and finding your voice against the odds. Whether you’re a lifelong theatre fan or a first-time theatregoer, this show will leave you uplifted, entertained, and maybe even a little braver.
Final thoughts
Revisiting Matilda the Musical reminded me why it remains one of the crown jewels of the West End. With Tim Minchin’s brilliant score, clever staging, a vibrant new cast, and a story that speaks to the child in all of us, this is a production that continues to inspire and entertain.
If you haven’t yet experienced the magic of Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre, don’t wait. Whether you’re 9 or 90, you’ll leave with a smile on your face and a song stuck in your head.