London Theatre Award Nomination Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin: [on Matilda] .. the classic Roald Dahl story about a genius little bookworm who triumphs against the odds using her genius brain is now a musical that is...well, genius. Piano-pounding comedian Tim Minchin and writer Dennis Kelly are the brains behind the brilliance..'

Matilda, the classic Roald Dahl story about a genius little bookworm who triumphs against the odds using her genius brain is now a musical that is...well, genius. Piano-pounding comedian Tim Minchin and writer Dennis Kelly are the brains behind the brilliance, and they’ve given the British musical theatre scene a desperately-needed kick up the arse. ‘Matilda’ is a musical with a giant heart, a rollicking explosion of colour, joy, and subversive witticisms - perfect theatrical-fodder for adults and children alike.

It’s a belly-laugh-a-minute, perpetual-gasping-with-wonder show. There’s the astonishing set splattered with luminescent alphabet blocks; the use of the phrase “smarting front-bottom”; the amazing dances. It’s packed with damn important messages too - Minchin and Kelly point the finger at society, using humour and incredible music as their weapons. Reading is pitted against television, kindness against rudeness, intellect against flashiness. The opening song, ‘My Mummy Says I’m A Miracle’, an anthem about bratty, fatty children should be played to all pushy parents - a musical dose of reality to prevent them from raising a generation of horrors. ‘Loud’ should be piped into the ears of all aspiring WAGS; ‘Naughty’ to every kid who has it tough. In fact, ‘Matilda’ should be mandatory viewing for anyone lacking a soul. I hope there’ll be a Cabinet-bonding trip to see it soon.

Of course, brilliant theatre can only be brought to life with a brilliant cast, and ‘Matilda’ kicks arse here too. Bertie Carvel as a pithy, camp Miss Trunchbull is inspired casting. Josie Walker and Paul Kaye are wonderful as the ghastly Mr and Mrs. Wormwood, like Katie Price and Peter Andre before the divorce. Kerry Ingram in the title role was extraordinary - charming, eloquent, precocious.  I cried because she’s so talented. I cried with joy through most of the show. ‘Matilda’ is a must-see. So, go see.

Telegraph: 'The show has now finally arrived in the West End, where I suspect it will delight audiences for years to come, as well as crossing the Atlantic to conquer Broadway, too. It is the best new British musical since Billy Elliot. '