Matilda Junior is full of fun and energy

Matilda Junior is full of fun and energy

25 October 2023

ST Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, are busy putting the final touches their next school production.

Matilda Jr will be performed in the school over four nights, from Wednesday, November 8, to Saturday, November 11, at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee show at 2.30pm. Tickets are now on sale from the school office. 

This promises to be a real treat for all audience members as Matilda is a well-loved Roald Dahl story, especially with the release of the new movie on Netflix this year. 

This is the junior version which is a shorter version of the West End show and promises to be full of the same fun and energy.

Matilda is played by Year 8 pupil Isla Venney, who auditioned for the role, along with many other hopefuls and really suits this character. 

She has had a lot of songs to learn as well, as dance routines and the all-important lines. 

The audience will certainly really enjoy her performance as she has worked so hard and has embodied the role so well.

Matilda is a firm favourite of the students with well-known characters such as Mrs Trunchbull. This role is played by Anna Mae Gribben who studies Drama and Music for GCSE. 

She has really embodied the role and the comedy moments will certainly be remembered.  She has a fantastic stage presence which will definitely be a highlight of the show.

Matilda’s classmates are from across the junior school who have created new friendships since rehearsals began: Logan Gray (Year 8) as Nigel, Annalise Fearon (Year 10) as Alice, Eimear Croskery (Yeear 8) as Amanda, Charlie Paul (Yeaer 8) as Tommy, Charlotte Trainor (Year 8) as Lavender, Orlaith O'Higgins (Year 9) as Erica, AJ Clarke (Year 9) as Bruce and Laura Leigh Robb (Year 8) as Hortensia. 

These students have been superbly dedicated to rehearsals and worked hard on all of their scenes, both singing and with choreography – they are sure to shine on stage.

The beloved Miss Honey is another favourite character.  The gentle teacher ,who sees the true intelligence of Matilda, is played by Year 13 student Anna Rose McCabe and Aimee O’Higgins from Year 14. They are sharing the 

role across the performances as it was very difficult to differentiate between them due to their fabulous singing voices. 

A lot of fun comedy moments will be performed by those in the Wormwood family. Mr Wormwood will be played by Year 13 Drama and Music student, Shay Fitzpatrick and Mrs Wormwood jointly by Year 13 Music student Clodagh Morgan and Year 14 Drama student Ellen Hillen. 

As with any major school production, students across all year groups have dedicated their time to rehearsals and will help create the magic of the show. 

They have been enthusiastically learning all the key songs such as ‘When I grow Up’, ‘School Song’, ‘Revolting Children’, to name but a few. 

They have also all been working really hard on their choreography and have really mastered their dance routines. 

They have put in a lot of effort and their friends and families will be very proud of them.

Director, Ms Clare McAvoy, said: “I am very proud of each and every one of my pupils who have been so committed to putting on an amazing show. 

“Attending rehearsals, learning lines and choreography have been so enjoyable. 

“I am so overwhelmed at their talent and feels so lucky to have such a gifted cast to direct.”

Miss Caoimhe McErlane, musical director, said: “I am proud of this very talented cast, they have worked incredibly hard and it has been great fun watching them develop as confident young performers in rehearsals. 

“I can’t wait for them to have the opportunity to perform his fabulous show for the local community.”