Matilda The Musical debuts in Singapore from 21 Feb

Acclaimed as ‘the standout musical of the decade’ by the UK’s Sunday Times, the multi award-winning Matilda The Musical will make its debut in Singapore from 21 February 2019 at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands.

Inspired by the beloved book by the incomparable Roald Dahl, Matilda The Musical has taken both London’s West End and Broadway by storm, garnering five-star reviews across the board. Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, Matilda is now in its seventh year in London where it continues to delight audiences of all ages, and has been seen by more than 8 million people.

The Singapore season marks the first time the hit musical has ventured to Asia, having toured to Australia and New Zealand from 2015-2017.

I grew up reading Roald Dahl’s classic children books and Matilda was one of his first books which I read. A parent now, my son is a fan of Roald Dahl’s books too and is familiar with Matilda. We are both excited that the musical is coming to Singapore this and I believe many other parents are too.

It is also exciting to know that the lead role of Matilda Wormwood will be played a Singaporean girl, Sofia Poston, a nine-year-old student at United World College of South East Asia. She will be sharing the highly coveted role of our favourite little bookworm with two other young actresses from the Matilda International Company.

Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and played to sold-out audiences at the RSC’s The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in England for 12 weeks from November 2010 to January 2011. It transferred to the West End later that year and swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking seven awards. As well as winning the award for Best New Musical, the four young actresses who originated and shared the title role made history by taking home the collective award for Best Actress in a Musical.

The New York production of Matilda opened in 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre to rapturous reviews, was awarded the accolade ‘#1 Show of the Year’ from TIME Magazine, and won five Tony Awards.

With so many awards and accolades under its belt, expectations are high for the run of the Matilda musical in Singapore.

The musical follows Matilda, a precocious 5-year-old girl who loves reading and learning, but is suppressed by her TV-obsessed parents who pay her little attention. As she grows up, she begins to resist the challenges and obstacles presented to her, learning that sometimes you have to be a “little bit naughty” in order to get through life. As she begins to master living with her family, her world is thrown into disarray as she starts a new school under the tyrannous grip of Headteacher Miss Trunchbull. Seeking solace in the library in a world of her imagination and creation, Matilda forms strong bonds with adults such as Librarian Mrs Phelps and her class teacher Miss Honey. Together they give her the confidence to embrace her special gift and individuality which is needed to reclaim her life.

“Matilda is about overcoming the bully, changing your destiny and creating your own path, something both children and adults can relate to and inspire from. Base is proud to bring internationally renowned shows from Broadway and the West End to Singapore audience. We are exceptionally thrilled and honoured to be presenting the astounding production of Matilda this February.” Shared Chantal Prudhomme, Chief Executive Officer of Base Entertainment Asia.

Featuring a smart and witty original score by Olivier Award winner Tim Minchin, alongside an exciting book by Tony Award-winning playwright Dennis Kelly, and ingenious staging by Tony Award winning director Matthew Warchus and Tony Award winning choreographer Peter Darling, the musical adaptation is one of the most successful British musicals of modern times.

The production has sets and costumes by Tony Award winner Rob Howell, with orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Tony Award winner Hugh Vanstone, and sound by Simon Baker.

Tickets are now available online via SISTIC.