The Current Matildas Top L-R: Fina Strazza, Eliza Holland-Madore, Tori Feinstein, Brooklyn Shuck, Bottom L-R: Lara McDonnell, Violet Tucker, Anna-Lousie Knight, Matilda Shapland
"Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty"
Matilda Wormwood is the title character in Matilda the Musical. Because of the size of the role, four girls currently play Matilda in the West End and on Broadway.
Character
She's extraordinarily intelligent for her age, and harbors a love for books, unlike her television-addicted parents. She eventually develops a close bond with her teacher, Miss Honey, the first relatable adult to recognize her abilities. She's the first person to stand up to her fearsome headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
Unlike the film, the musical adaptation emphasizes her imagination and ability to tell stories, rather than her telekenesis. She frequently visits Mrs. Phelps at the library to tell her the story of an incredible Acrobat and Escapologist. Throughout the story, she discusses their new feat: "The Burning Woman Hurling Through the Air With Dynamite in Her Hair Over Sharks and Spikey Objects Caught By the Man Locked in the Cage."
Trivia
The four original West End Matildas (Kerry, Sophia, Cleo and Eleanor) shared the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2012. Eleanor Worthington-Cox, at age 10, is the youngest recipient of the award ever.
The four original Broadway Matildas (Oona, Sophia, Bailey and Milly) were ineligible for a Tony nomination for their work, and instead received a Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre.
Portrayals
Matilda is currently played by Anna-Louise Knight, Lara McDonnell, Matilda Shapland and Violet Tucker in the West End. On Broadway Matilda is played by Tori Feinstein, Mattea Conforti, Mimi Ryder and Rileigh McDonald On the US tour by: Gabby Gutierrez, Mia Sinclair Jenness and Mabel Tyler.
They all perform twice a week, and they are also on standby twice a week.
Past Matildas
Stratford Upon Avon
- Josie Griffiths (November 2010-January 2011)
- Kerry Ingram (November 2010-January 2011) (continued onto West End)
- Adrianna Bertola (November 2010-January 2011)
West End
- Kerry Ingram (November 2011-April 2012)
- Sophia Kiely (November 2011-April 2012)
- Cleo Demetriou (November 2011-August 2012)
- Eleanor Worthington-Cox (November 2011-August 2012)
- Jade Marner (April-August 2012)
- Isobelle Molloy (April-August 2012) (original West End cast as Amanda)
- Hayley Canham (April 2012-March 2013)
- Lucy-Mae Beacock (September 2012-May 2013)
- Chloe Hawthorn (September 2012-September 2013)
- Lara Wollington (September 2012-September 2013)
- Elise Blake (March 2013-March 2014)
- Cristina Fray (March 2013-March 2014)
- Georgia Pemberton (September 2013-April 2014)
- Lollie McKenzie (September 2013-September 2014)
- Cara Jenkins (March-October 2014)
- Tasha Chapple (March 2014-March 2015)
- Lottie Sicilia (March 2014-March 2015)
Broadway
- Oona Laurence (March-December 2013)
- Sophia Gennusa (March-December 2013)
- Bailey Ryon (March 2013-January 2014)
- Milly Shapiro (March 2013-January 2014)
- Paige Brady (December 2013-August 2014)
- Ripley Sobo (January-August 2014)
- Ava Ulloa (January-September 2014)
- Gabriella Pizzolo (December 2013-September 2014)
- Brooklyn Shuck (August 2014-May 2015)
- Eliza Holland Madore (September 2014-June 2015)
- Fina Strazza (September 2014- June 2015)
Songs
Matilda performs in:
- "Miracle"
- "Naughty" (solo)
Matilda as played by Kerry Ingram
- "Naughty (Reprise)"
- "Bruce"
- "When I Grow Up" (solo)
- "I'm Here"
- "The Smell of Rebellion"
- "Quiet" (solo)
- "My House"
