Up next at the Arts Club’s Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage is Matilda the Musical, after stops at Winnipeg’s Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre.
The winner of over 50 major international awards, including 12 for Best Musical, Matilda has received widespread critical acclaim. The musical won seven Olivier Awards in 2012, including Best New Musical—the most ever won by a single show at the time. At the 2013 Tony Awards, the show won five awards, including Best Book of a Musical.
The musical’s heroine is Matilda (Georgia Acken/Thailey Roberge), a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the loveable and caring Miss Honey (Alison MacDonald). During her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey both recognizes and appreciates Matilda’s extraordinary personality. However, the school’s tyrannical and child-hating headmistress, Miss Trunchbull (John Ullyatt), is out to terrorize and punish those children who don’t abide by her rules. Armed with her courage and intelligence, Matilda takes a stand to change her destiny and save her classmates.
Director Daryl Cloran says, “We have been working with new youth performers in each city: Winnipeg, Edmonton, and now Vancouver. It has meant lots of rehearsal, but I have loved being surrounded by the enthusiasm and wonder of these young talents. It is such an incredible opportunity for all of these young performers to have a professional experience like this. It is not hyperbole to say this will be a life-changing experience for many of them, one that will stay with them for years to come.”
Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran says, “Matilda is a fun, cheeky, and imaginative blockbuster, full of fantastic tunes and great characters. I am excited to program large musicals that every family member can enjoy—and this is a great example. This musical is creative and playful, and appeals to children of all ages, while incorporating sophisticated wit for adults. Roald Dahl’s work has a gleefully subversive edge that is accessible to all ages.”
May 16–July 14, 2019
SHOWTIMES
Tue–Thu at 7:30 PM, Fri & Sat at 8 PM, Wed at 1:30 PM, and Sat & Sun at 2 PM
Tickets from $39 at www.artsclub.com or the Arts Club Box Office at 604.687.1644
Photo by Dylan Hewlett
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