Matilda The Musical – Review – Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

By Steve Crabtree, October 2025

How lucky is Bradford to have one of the best-loved family musicals arriving on its doorstep slap-bang in the middle of half-term?

A perfectly planned Thursday, we strolled up to Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre on opening night, and the place was full of wall-to-wall excitement. Kids clutching programmes, parents juggling snacks, and a lovely vibe that showed that everyone was looking forward to a special show. Matilda the Musical had arrived, and judging by the crowd, it couldn’t have picked a better week.

Roald Dahl books were a fixture of my childhood reading – The Twits still makes me laugh now – but, oddly enough, Matilda passed me by. My stepdaughter once played Lavender in a school production, and she was brilliant – I loved every minute of that. So, I was genuinely looking forward to seeing how this big touring version would stack up on the Alhambra stage. (No, Meghan wasn’t with me tonight — she’s coming with her mum in a few weeks!)

“Letters, notes, scribbles and books…”

We took our seats in the stalls and that famous backdrop stood proudly. A jumble of letters, notes, scribbles and books, crowned by M-A-T-I-L-D-A shining in bold lighted blocks. It was a sight that instantly pulled you into Dahl’s wondrous world. Then, without so much as a pause, the cast of children exploded onto the stage, full of motion, confidence and fun.

The opening number ‘Miracle’ roared through the theatre, as we had a bright, bold, brimming with energy tone set for the rest of the evening.

And, as per any Roald Dahl classic, the characters were larger than life from the off. Adam Stafford made a brilliant Mr Wormwood — a loveable rogue with a salesman’s swagger and a knack for getting everything wrong. Opposite him, Rebecca Thornhill was a riot as Mrs Wormwood, all glitter and gobby glamour. The two had that perfectly daft chemistry that makes the Wormwoods impossible not to enjoy.

“Cheeky and expressive”

Richard Hurst was terrific as Miss Trunchbull – every inch the towering, terrifying headmistress, and hilariously camp with it. He drew as many laughs as gasps, owning the stage with an eyebrow raise or a bellow. You couldn’t help but grin every time he appeared.

And while the adults gave it everything, the young cast of ‘Revolting Children’ met them head-on. Bruce Bogtrotter, played tonight by Brodie Robson, was cheeky and expressive, and completely at home under the lights. Madison Davis, leading as bookworm Matilda, was exceptional. She was sharp, composed and I felt that she was really feeling the part. Her comic timing was spot on, and she knew exactly how to make a moment land, whether it was a well-aimed quip or a pause that lingered just long enough to make the point. For someone so young, what an outstanding performance.

There’s also a special mention for Dottie Jones’ cheeky portrayal of Lavender. She made us laugh every time she opened her mouth, stomped her feet, or giggled mischievously!

The role of Matilda is shared equally by Madison Davis, Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara; and Oisin-Luca Pegg, Carter-J Murphy, Brodie Robson and Takunda Khumalo share the role of Bruce.

“A few laughs and gasps”

For someone who hasn’t seen the main production before, read the book or even seen the film (I know…I can feel your surprise from here!) I was really enjoying the story. The pace of it is mainly fast and punchy, but just at the right moments things linger a little bit. Putting a bit of depth behind the entertainment. Even, for the understanding adult, hinting at a slightly un-easy undertone in to the lives of the characters that the kids just don’t pick up on.

Behind the performance, the set design was really good. Classroom, library and bedroom sliding seamlessly in and out, each scene building on the last with clever little touches. Lighting and smoke effects added bursts of atmosphere, while the odd explosion raised a few laughs and gasps in equal measure. By the time Act Two arrived, the drama had deepened, but that sense of fun never faded.

The family crowd was fully invested from the beginning. The kids were giggling, parents laughing along, and more than a few moments where the whole place fell silent in awe. You could tell how much everyone cared about what was happening on stage. And when the cast rolled back out on scooters for their bows, the Alhambra erupted.

Everyone got their credits, but the loudest cheers of the night went to Madison Davis, who took her bow beaming from ear to ear as the theatre rose to its feet. A beautiful reaction to a well-deserved ovation.

“Full of heart”

Matilda the Musical is everything family theatre should be – clever, funny, well-paced and full of heart. It’s always brilliant to see young performers take ownership of a big stage, and this cast made Bradford proud. A lively, lovable show that delivers joy in every direction – and not a single dull moment in sight.

Matilda the Musical continues its run at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, until 23rd November
image: Manuel Harlan

Steve Crabtree( Writer )

Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.

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