Stellar cast brings heart and humour to the stage
Adamson Theatre Company’s Middle School Musical was truly an event for all ages this year, as students from Years 5 and 6 joined the usual Years 7-9 cohort to bring the beloved production of Matilda Jr. to life. The stellar principal cast infused the performance with heart and humour, creating a memorable and captivating experience for everyone involved.
Olivia (Year 6), the youngest member of the principal cast, delivered a commanding performance as Matilda, perfectly capturing the character’s intelligence, defiance and vulnerability. As Miss Honey, Cecilia (Year 8) provided a touching and heartfelt contrast to Matilda’s boldness, embodying the warmth and compassion of the beloved teacher.
Fraser (Year 8) as Ms Trunchbull was a comedic force, delivering a blend of intimidation and absurdity that had the audience captivated. Isaac (Year 6), in the role of Bruce, offered fantastic comedic timing, especially in his memorable cake-eating scene. Clementine (Year 9) as Mrs Wormwood and Gemma (Year 8) as Mr Wormwood were a delight, bringing a humorous energy to their eccentric characters. Rounding out the main cast, Flora (Year 8) added charm and wit as Matilda’s loyal friend Lavender, ensuring the principal performances were engaging from start to finish.
The cast, although varied in age, supported and celebrated each other’s achievements, with the older students inspiring and mentoring those new to the musical process.
‘Playing a lead role in Matilda Jr. was an amazing experience,’ said Gemma (Year 8). ‘Leading the cast was a big responsibility, but it allowed me and other older castmates to develop our leadership skills. I enjoyed playing Mr Wormwood because he’s eccentric and a bit crazy, and I loved being able to do physical comedy. I also really appreciated working with so many extraordinarily talented younger students.’
Having only recently started performing, winning the role of Ms Honey was ‘a dream come true’ for Cecilia (Year 8). ‘Playing such a heartfelt and complex character really pushed me. I loved Ms Honey’s nurturing and gentle spirit and how she sees the best in everyone. Her kindness really inspired me, both on and off the stage.’
The technical elements of the show were executed with great skill. The set design captured the whimsical and slightly surreal tone of the story, while the lighting added mood and emphasis to key moments. Detailed props and costume added humour and texture to the performance, creating a world filled with quirky details that drew the audience in.
‘I really didn’t really like my character, Mrs Wormwood, as she was mean and vain,’ said Clementine (Year 9). ‘However, the costume was amazing, and the hair and makeup really highlighted her frivolous personality. It was a lot of fun bringing her to life.’
For Fraser (Year 8), taking on the role of the villain required him to dive deep into his character’s complex personality. ‘I really enjoyed playing Ms Trunchbull because she has so much unexplained context in the story,’ he said. ‘I find it more fun to play evil characters, and they always get a lot of laughs.’
The success of the production was largely due to the outstanding direction and creative leadership the Adamson Theatre Company is known for. Each song was executed with precision, while the choreography infused energy and fun. The collective efforts of this talented team, including alumni Marlo Stephenson (OW2023) as co-director, and Sarah Holdich (OW2023) as co-choreographer, made the production a truly memorable and joyous experience.
‘I loved Lavender’s cheeky nature and her relationship with Matilda,’ said Flora (Year 8). ‘But my favourite part was being in the big numbers with lots of people, especially "Revolting Children". It was a lot of fun.’
‘I’m beyond grateful for the hard work and vision our directors brought to this production,’ said Cecilia (Year 8). ‘Their encouragement and knowledge made the experience unforgettable, and it helped me discover a passion for performing that I now want to pursue here at Wesley. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Matilda Jr. such an inspiring experience.’
