Matilda the Musical
Sunderland Empire – 11th February 2026
Invited | Review by Stephen Stokoe
Beware, if you are heading near The Sunderland Empire over the next few weeks. For therein resides Roald Dahl’s most fearsome headmistress of all – the terrifying Miss Agatha Trunchbull – hammer and child throwing champion and the current custodian of Crunchem Hall. She is a stickler for the rules and does not suffer the little children (squits or maggots depending on her mood) gladly.
Matilda the Musical has arrived in the north east once again. Based on the much loved Roald Dahl book adapted by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by the satirical genius that is Tim Minchin, this very faithful adaptation is an absolute joy from the raucous meandering opening medley to the rebellion of the children and the inevitable standing ovation at the end.
As one of four young actors playing the super-smart telekinetically empowered Matilda, Sanna Kurihari wowed the audience with her comic timing (“I’m a girl!”) her incredible powerful vocals and she endeared herself to me in particular dealing so professionally with an unscheduled show stop during the performance yesterday evening. She shares the role on the tour with Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger, and Madison Davis. Kurihari interacted extremely well with all the other characters and was believable throughout showing acting and singing prowess beyond her years.
Her abominable parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood (Adam Stafford and Rebecca Thornhill respectively) are superbly cast and are clearly living their best lives bringing these awful humans to the stage. Mention also has to be given to an oft overlooked cast member that of the monolexical older brother Michael wonderfully portrayed and acted by Samuel Leon.
I cannot mention all of the students or I will be here all afternoon but I cannot leave out Matilda’s self appointed best friend Lavender who was adorably played tonight by the equally adorably named Pixie Grace Pettigrew (at other performances Dottie Jones and Sana Lennon), Amanda played by Millie May Mankowska (and at other performances by Sylvie Grace and Rose Jammeh), Eric by Leo Maurice (at other performances by Jaxon James Nolan and Haiden Sihapanya), Tommy by Tate Masuku (at other performances by Rudy Bragg and Charlie Cox) and the much maligned by the aforementioned Trunchbull Nigel by Felix Schmitt (at other performances by Jacob Connor-Ashton and Cole Nicholson.) There is one noticeable exception to my list but I will get to him shortly.
So to the formidable Principal herself. This is a demanding role both vocally and physically and it is performed with great gusto and more than a little venom by Richard Hurst. Hurst’s physicality is superb and you are left in no doubt that even as adults you may very well pee in your pants if this creature were to bear down upon you! Miss Trunchbull’s vocals in both songs were excellent but it sure was nice to see the bullying tyrant get her newts in her knickers comeuppance.
There are several beautiful relationships between Matilda and those she meets but none quite so heart-warming as that between our bookworm hero and her good friend the library assistant Mrs Phelps (Esther Niles.) Niles really makes this wonderful character her own and sparkles from the stage as the creative Matilda is creating her stories much to the delight of her friend.
The other relationship is between Matilda and the meek and downtrodden Miss Honey (Tessa Kadler) who sings and plays the role perfectly. She is certainly “enough for me” to shed a tear or two as she sings of her shed home.
There are certain things that cannot be missed out of any adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book. There are Matilda’s special powers, there is a newt in the knickers, children being flung into the air by their pigtails. Matilda on Tour ticks every box in these regards. Much credit has to go to a superb technical team for some ingenious problem solving to bring them all so effectively onto the stage.
Another key moment involves the quintessentially Dahl-named Bruce Bogtrotter (played tonight by Takunda Kumalo and at other performances by Oisin Luca-Pegg, Carter-J Murphy and Brodie Robson.) After succumbing to a slice of chocolate cake, the unfortunate Bogtrotter is forced to eat the rest of the very large cake. This is a beautifully directed scene (overseen by Matthew Warchus with a whole host of associate, resident and children’s directors) and musically performed under the direction of Andrew Corcoran who led a superb orchestra this evening.
Okay, I think I have managed to mention everyone I intended to so I can simply wax lyrical about this touring production. I have seen Matilda twice in its residence on the West End and it is hard to see signs that the touring production is a “cut down” show. This is every bit as beautifully crafted as its London counterpart. The set and costume design (Rob Howell) is almost identical, Peter Darling’s choreography is en point (sorry) and Michin’s linguistic acrobatics ring out in Sunderland just as they do at The Cambridge Theatre.
The weather still has not improved much but Matilda the Musical has enough heart to warm even the coldest and darkest of nights. Join the rebellion and let us banish the sleet, snow, rain and bask in the glow of innocent nerdiness and bookwormery. Bookwormery? That’s not a word – I hear you cry! Oh well, sometimes even I get to be a little bit naughty.