Matilda
at Ridley College

Reviewed on February 29, 2020

Keerthana Srikanth
Beamsville District Secondary School
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

In a wave of nostalgia comes childhood feelings and memories: curiosity, mischief, best friends, bullies, and the presence of darkness and joy as you learn to find your voice in the world.

With their performance of the multi-award winning musical "Matilda", Ridley College gave the audience the chance to relive their most youthful years through the story of a young girl filled with childlike wonder but levels of wisdom that precede even some adults, highlighting the power of youth with a hint of magic.

This young girl is, of course, Matilda Wormwood, the main character in the Roald Dahl's classic of 1988. At the age of 5, literature enthusiast Matilda has declared no book too challenging, reading classics such as Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations" and H.G. Wells' "The Invisible Man". However, aside from her local librarian who listens eagerly to Matilda's stories spun from her vivid imagination, Matilda has little love and support. She is alienated by her family of avid television viewers, salsa dancers, and cheating car salesmen, and finds herself with nobody to turn to until she meets her first grade teacher, Miss Honey. Even at school, the students are terrorized by headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, yet with the power of friendship, telekinesis, and revolution, kindness prevails.

Ridley College performed this dark yet comedic show with confidence and undeniable talent with ensemble heavy songs such as "Miracle" and "The Smell of Rebellion" approached with mastered choreography, and clever hints of originality with projected scene setting and live magic.

The show was lead fearlessly by Geena Prestia as Matilda, who approached the role with great depth and understanding towards the character. She delivered monologues with high levels of passion when reciting the story of the escapologist and the acrobat, and sang with rich vocals and emotion in songs such as "Quiet".

Matilda's character was complimented with the contrasting yet equally powerful performances of Angela Daudu as Agatha Trunchbull and Vega Armstrong as Miss Honey. The elements of the terrifying disciplinarian, Trunchbull, was portrayed with unwavering commitment and humour, as opposed to the quiet portrayal of Miss Honey where the character's growth was clearly depicted.

The musical was further supported by an impeccable ensemble that each had their own memorable moments within the show. The hilarity and frustrating values of the Wormwood family starring Olivia Reynolds, Abigail Sullivan, and Quinten Neudorf, the stunning vocals of Jacob Lytle as the doctor in the opening number, and Matilda's fellow innocent classmates portrayed by Isaiah Owens, Mana Omori, and Kishi Femi-Johnson among others, all strengthened and elevated the show.

By using the entire theatre to enter scenes through different entrances, and with the use of a rustic set, the experience was made more intimate and eye-catching. Additionally, the choreography of Abigail Sullivan in the number "Loud" left an energetic atmosphere in the theatre as Mrs.Wormwood and Rudolpho danced around the stage.

Although there were some uneven microphone and music levels at times, the cast's unfaltering performances did not allow it to distract, persevering through technical difficulties or missed lines.

All in all, Ridley College gave an impactful performance that would prove inspirational to audiences of all ages alike, showing the importance of taking ownership of your own story even if it isn't always a happy ending, as life isn't always fair and simply accepting that is just not right.

Kamryn Fitzgerald
Greater Fort Erie S.S.
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

Ridley College's "Matilda" Brings The Magic Of Stories To Life!

Music and magic, mischief and mayhem! Ridley College's rendition of Matilda brought Roald Dahl's widely renowned tale to life with a genius blend of humour, sorrow, and strength.

Matilda, written by Roald Dahl in 1988, was adapted into a musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. The show follows Matilda Wormwood, a genius, unlike her "telly-obsessed" family. At school, she finds her equal in Miss Honey, her first grade teacher, who encourages her to explore her brilliance. She also finds her nemesis in headmistress Agatha Trunchbull, a headstrong, scowling woman with little care for children. The play explores childhood and the importance of friendship in quick witted fashion, while also showcasing valuable life lessons along the way.

Geena Prestia, as Matilda, maintained a selfless and passionate disposition from the moment she entered the stage. With ease, she managed to portray the character as strong and sophisticated, while still maintaining the childish mischievousness of a young girl. During Prestia's rendition of "Quiet", her melodic vocals and sorrowful expression powerfully silenced the entire audience, leaving a lasting impact that was sure to make a truly unforgettable performance.

Having a predominantly female cast, Ridley College was tasked with the challenge of filling typically male roles, which they handled with ease. Olivia Reynolds expertly executed the arrogant character of Mr. Wormwood, with a boisterous personality and amusingly-ignorant comments that often caused laughter within the audience. Her engaging questions at the beginning of Act Two were effective at breaking the fourth wall, and helped the audience feel as if they were a part of the story.

The other actors of the play were just as solid in their performances, with Abigail Sullivan perfectly capturing the extravagant persona of Mrs. Wormwood, and Vega Armstrong stunning the audience with her stable, haunting vocals as Miss Honey during her rendition of "This Little Girl". Alina Khasanova also handled her double role of escapologist and Russian mafia leader flawlessly, even speaking Russian with clear diction.

However, one of the most impressive performances was none other than Angela Daudu as Agatha Trunchbull. She portrayed Trunchbull with sarcastic comments that often made the audience chuckle, with expressive eye rolls and a cocky physicality to match.

The story of Matilda may touch on magical powers, but it was truly the performance of the little children ensemble that helped make the show magical. For being so young, with limited stage experience, the ensemble managed to hold their own throughout the duration of the show. Their rendition of "When I Grow Up" sent chills, with their vibrant harmonies and flawless formations. The hope in their voices emphasized the preciousness of childhood, and evoked a bitter longing for what once was.

The details in set design, costumes, and choreography, were the finishing touch to a fantastic show. The performance introduced a variety of unique lighting variations, such as multi-coloured disco lights during Mrs. Wormwood's salsa performance, and the visual effect of flashlights during the children's performance of "Bruce". Each costume was intricately detailed and matched the personality of the character perfectly. Although at times the music was too loud or mics too quiet, it was not severe enough to distract the audience from the show, and the cast was able to play it off phenomenally.

Overall, Ridley College's rendition of Matilda perfectly encapsulated what it means to succeed in spite of those against you, while also teaching the importance of standing up to bullies. "Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty."

Diana Karapetyan
Eden High School
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

The Hidden Miracle

How many times have you been told by your parents that you are a miracle?
For Matilda, that answer is absolutely none.

Honoring the inner child within us all, Ridley College's production is a celebratory show jam-packed with flashy choreography, astounding vocals, and flamboyant characters who had the audience hooting and hollering during their musical rendition of Matilda.

The story follows beloved author Roald Dahl's infamous heroine who is as clever and naughty as a four-year-old can be. Rejected from birth, Matilda (played by Geena Prestia) remains unapologetically herself as she devours novel after novel much to the disdain of her salsa-dancing mother and telly-crazed father.

Upon her entrance to the first grade, Matilda is faced with another obstacle: the nasty principal Trunchbull who believes discipline to be the driving force of the education system and will punish anyone who dares step outside her circle of rules.

Ridley students take on the challenging production with ease, lighting the stage on fire with a constant stream of energy. Geena Prestia's performance as Matilda is stellar, enchanting the audience with her charming onstage presence and powerful vocals.

Equally brilliant performances are given by her eccentric parents, Abigail Sullivan and Olivia Reynolds (playing Mrs. and Mr. Wormwood, respectively), who contributed immensely to the comedic aspect with their humourous delivery of insults and Broadway-worthy dance numbers.

Matilda's fellow classmates (Mana Omori, Marika Kovacsics, Tom Femi-Johnson, Isaiah Owens, Ryan Gao, Jenny Zou, and little kid ensemble) are worthy of equal praise, standing out with their authentic personalities yet remaining in perfect unison during choreographed scenes. Memorable scenes include the dangerous and edgy "School Song" that effectively foreshadows the events about to take place and "Bruce" which takes the cake for being such a deliciously wicked scene it is a crime to look away.

A show is not a show without a villain, and Angela Daudu as Agatha Trunchbull is the perfect example of one that the audience will love to hate. From leading a high-intensity workout to throwing students into the Chokey, Daudu provides an Tony-worthy performance of the principal. Opposite her as the kind and loving teacher, Miss Honey, Vega Armstrong is a breath of fresh air at the institution. Praise goes out to Armstrong for her heart-warming performance in "My House" and "When I Grow Up"--both of which displayed her impressive vocal capacity.

In typical Ridley fashion, set changes by the stage managers (Francesca Guarducci, Olivia Li, Helen Liang, Marie Omulen, and Meriel Wehner) were executed with such grace it was impossible to pinpoint a pause in the play. With the use of a projector, scenes flowed effortlessly into each other in perfect harmony with the tempo. Each beat was impeccably timed, serving to dramatize the musical by escalating and booming as the students sang along.

Turning to the last page of a great novel always conjures a somber feeling, but the tale of Matilda continues to resonate past its time. Lively and amusing, Ridley College's performance is an ode to childhood, serving as a reminder that each of us is indeed, a miracle. Alive with bright lights, enchanting tales, and sweet little kids, a round of applause goes out to Ridley for telling a story and bringing magic to life.