Review: ‘Matilda The Musical’ kicks off on a high note at Dubai Opera

Let’s get something straight: This is a woke play. It may seem old fashioned, but by using tropes of parents who just don’t understand their child and a teacher who is abusive, it shows us exactly how things ought NOT to be.

‘Matilda The Musical’ uses mystic and the magic of humour to talk to us about the importance of love, friendship, kindness, finding your niche and the need for good teachers.  

And so it resonates. It did when the story was first written by Roald Dhal back in 1988 and later when it was made into a movie. And it does now, as a musical. The play that’s on at Dubai Opera was adapted to the stage by Dennis Kelly and comes with original songs by Tim Minchin. The choreography is magnificent; like clockwork the children move. And the performances, especially by the actor who plays Miss Trunchbull, are superb.

But before we get more into this…here’s what happens in the play.

The young Matlida is an anomaly in her house, where she lives with her crocked father, looks-obsessed mother and brother. She is unconventionally bright, has a moral backbone and has a knack for taking revenge that would make even the most devious of children jealous. At home though, the is just the ‘freak’ who loves books too much.

When she begins school, she comes across the person who will become her first friend, Miss Honey, someone who treats her with respect, love and kindness. She also meets Miss Trunchbull, the evil headmistress, who thinks no end of herself and very little of the young minds she’s been employed to mold. 

The run-in is inevitable – and rather hilarious.

Through music and dance, we navigate our way through this story.

On the Dubai Opera stage, the sets are fantasic, and no wonder, the musical is in its 12th year and has won more than 99 international awards, including 24 for Best Musical. My only concern is for those who are photosensitive epilepsy; be warned, there are short segments where bright lights flash on and off suddenly.

Among the lessons it teaches is, the importance of  learning your own place in the world and that one shouldn’t try and fit a child into a preconceived mold.

In spite of the jovial dressing, the message serious: the world can be a cruel place. However, there are happy endings on the horizon, if you are clever enough to help yourself find them.

The details

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical runs until October 15. Tickets start at Dh325 and are available at DubaiOpera.com