As we approach the school musical, Matilda, just a few short months away, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the many renditions of this story. From Roald Dahl’s classic book to the classic 1998 film, Matilda has captured hearts across generations. But which version stands out the most? In honor of our own production, let’s take a closer look at what makes the original film, musical, and book special.
“Matilda is a really powerful story about overcoming hardships no matter where you’re placed in life, It’s also really inspiring while simultaneously being something entertaining anyone can watch.” Minahil Javed said (27’).
The first time we are introduced to Matilda Wormwood, a child born into a family that doesn’t appreciate her intelligence, is in the 1988 novel by Roald Dahl. Matilda finds comfort in reading and school, despite the neglect she faces from her parents and abuse from her headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Her telekinetic powers and remarkable mind set her apart from other students. Her story comes to a beautiful ending that shows the power of the chosen family, when she is able to live a happy life with her teacher, Miss Honey.
Unlike live action adaptations, books offer readers creative freedom. They can imagine how characters sound, picture scenes, and craft their own movies. Especially for young readers, this enhances the magic and wonder of stories.
“The book really brought the story to life. When I was reading the books, things like the depiction of Miss Trunchbull just didn’t stand out to me as much as when I was reading the book.” Meredith Hodges said (27’).
The 1996 Matilda film is the most well-known version of the story. Directed by and starring Dany DeVito, the film is based on Dahl’s novel. While it does capture the spirit of the novel, it fails to truly capture the essence of Dahl’s story. One difference is the humor. With the original novel being set in Britain, it contains relatively subtle humor. The film however, shifted its setting to America, replacing British comedic patterns with a louder, and more exaggerated narrative. Additionally, the role of the Wormwoods is heavily exaggerated. Rather than the realistic, but still neglectful parenting style we see in the novel, the film turns Matilda’s story into more of a comedy, then a realistic story of struggle and perseverance. While this may seem like a small difference, it significantly impacts the charm of the story. While the film pays attention to Matilda’s intelligence, it chooses to depict her powers as her greatest strength, contrary to what we see in the book. This again distracts from the realism of the story, making it hard for young readers to relate to.
“Like many, [the 1996 film] was my first exposure to the Matilda story, so obviously it was fun to watch, but upon further investigation, it makes me frustrated to see how much they needlessly changed.” Mrs. Lisa Cover-Tucci, director of the school musical and theater instructor said.
The Matilda musical, which opened on Broadway in 2013, offers a fresh interpretation of Matilda’s story. In comparison to the film, the musical stays closer to the novel’s themes. The songs enhance the storytelling, making it more engaging and interactive. However, some argue that at times, this can overshadow the true, emotional depth of Matilda’s story.
If we can expect anything from Forge theater, it’s passion. Every production showcases their dedication, with each character brought to life through attention to detail and heartfelt performances. Their commitment to this story means we can expect them to bring this emotional depth into their storytelling. While they may not have the same resources as a professional production, the fact that they themselves are students, connects them to the roles they are portraying, making the story even more relatable and impactful for the audience.
“Every aspect, except the directing, is done by students. Student actors fill all of the roles, technical theatre classes will build beautiful sets and put together gorgeous lighting- and knowing all of that is done by your classmates- It’s pretty incredible….our students are learning this craft with each rehearsal and each performance- it’s truly impressive what they learn and how incredible their end product is.” Says Mrs. Cover-Tucci.
