My overall experience:
The musical experience was an absolute blast and I found myself deeply enchanted by its vivacity. Moments of certain scenes and instances still replay in my head at this very moment…Watching it felt like a breath of fresh air and a long awaited relaxation amidst so-far-so-tumultuous journey in JC - which has been such a veritable roller coaster ride. As someone who deeply appreciates live concerts and musicals, the idea of putting up a skit that comes in the form of vocal and dance to convey a story intrigued me so much. I felt invited to the partake in the narrative of the show by its characters, who portrayed and embodied so many different personas to such great effect. Indeed, musicals serve as a mirror to reality, and I found myself engrossed and captivated by the diverse range of soundtracks, each evoking a myriad of emotions, enriching the storytelling experience.
My afterthoughts:
This musical was directed based on the storyline of a novel for children, it was generally light heartening and provided me a much-needed escapade from my rigorous academic life. I read Roald Dahl’s Matilda back in primary school and have already watched the musical once back then (It had a different cast and crew) so entering this musical was a delightful journey back to my carefree childhood days. My friends and I were all smiling so much walking out of the theater after the show ended, reminiscing about the mesmerizing experience while lamenting our dreadful return to “the harsh reality” again. For those yearning to revisit the simplicity and innocence of your inner child’s imaginative world, this is an unmissable opportunity.
General Review
Themes: Among the many themes involved, the one that resonated most deeply with me was the power of imagination. It was where Matilda’s fervent love for books and vivid imagination served as a source of escapism from her harsh reality of being mistreated by her family members and having a demonic school principal. Other themes include the power of education and knowledge, as well as individuality and acceptance - where Matilda makes use of her knowledge and critical thinking abilities to liberate herself and those around her from the rigid structure of authority.
Lights & Sounds: Every intricate detail in the light series was so meticulously crafted, arranged and executed. They seamlessly enhanced the ambience and made the show so much more engaging for the audience. They were undeniably the most striking effect of the show that vividly captured its essence.. I felt such a strong sense of admiration and respect towards the dedicated lights crew as they did an excellent job in coordinating with the cast to convey the most wholesome messages. Therefore, relishing the stunning light and sound effects is, without a doubt, a reason you should watch the musical!
Music: The soul soothing and dulcet music was the best part of the show as it transported me to a realm of enchantment. The soundtracks were iconic and each resonated with unparalleled beauty. Every piece of music also had its unique character and story to be told to the audience. The variety of different instruments, like Piano, Organ, and even at some point the full orchestra, breathed life into the story, effectively highlighting each scene’s emotive power.
Cast & Crew: I was genuinely awestruck by the synergy between the cast and the crew, and the prominent teamwork and intimacy that was present between them when they performed on stage. Most of the cast members were still of tender age and I cannot imagine the amount of practice and hard work that they put in to make the show such a blast. Besides the main character Matilda, Gemma Scholes, who played Miss Honey, was a cast member who left an indelible impression on me . I was able to imagine her personality outside the show based on the way she carried herself in the musical and the characteristics that she demonstrated. I loved her voice too, her tonal colours were rich, which made her vocal techniques impactful like no other.
Pre-show recommendations to those interested:
I highly recommend such a unique experience to literally anyone, regardless of if you’ve watched a live musical in your life. It’s a must try if you’re intending to find a hobby to unwind from the hustles of daily life! (There will be more musicals available as the year proceeds so book your tickets ASAP!!) Do pick seats closer to the stage to catch a clearer view, (I personally prefer seats facing center stage!) Also, if possible, you should read the book/original text/movie to gain some context and background information before the show to better follow up with the storyline and plot. Usually during such musicals, contexts won’t be explicitly given, so it’s better to know the plot beforehand so you’ll be more certain about the characters and their relations, and can better immerse yourself in the essence of the plot and music. Also you can also purchase the programme booklet sold at the counter which contains background information about the show. Do attend this musical with your family and friends for a bonding session like no other! Alternatively, you can choose to take yourself on a solo musical date, I promise it’ll hit really different.
Thanks for reading :)
Written by: Iris
Edited by: Xiang Ting and Samuel
Designed by: Qianhui
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