Matilda
A two-act musical for the whole family, performed in Lithuanian (N-7)
Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin
Libretto by Dennis Kelly, based on Roald Dahl’s children’s novel *Matilda*
Libretto translated into Lithuanian by Virginijus Pupšys
Arrangements and additional music by Christopher Nightingale
The musical is presented under license from Music Theatre International.
“Matilda” is a musical that has won more than 100 awards in various countries and has been drawing crowds of fans worldwide to screens and musical theaters for more than a decade, inspired by the 1988 book of the same name by British author Roald Dahl.
A favorite among children and translated into many languages (translated into Lithuanian by Danguolė Žalytė, published by “Garnelis,” in 2014, and by “Alma littera” in 2022), the book’s main character, Matilda, amazes those around her with her sharp wit, vivid imagination, and… psychokinetic powers. Unloved by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, and bullied by her brother Michael, she devours one book after another, but to her family, this is nothing more than a waste of time. So when she starts school, she immediately hits it off with her first teacher, Miss Honey, who is charmed by the girl’s extraordinary talents and her maturity beyond her years. However, life at school is not all roses either. The school is run by the harsh Miss Trunchbull, who cannot stand children and cruelly punishes anyone who disobeys her rules. Endowed with a sharp mind, a strong sense of justice, and the courage to stand up for herself and defend the weak, Matilda boldly takes action and overcomes all adversity!
Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the musical—based on the novel—was created in 2010 by British librettist Dennis Kelly and Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the musical had its world premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon in December 2010, and beginning in November 2011, the production—featuring the same cast with minor changes—began running in London’s West End at the Cambridge Theatre. Having garnered immense popularity, financial success, critical acclaim, and the highest honors in British theater, the theater decided to bring the musical to Broadway. At the American premiere of the musical, which took place in April 2013 at the Schubert Theatre, several minor plot changes were made to bring the content closer to American realities. U.S. audiences and theater critics were quick to express their enthusiasm for the new production: tickets to the performances sold out in an instant, and in 2013 alone, the musical received as many as 12 Tony Award nominations.
Just as the book was adapted into the 1996 comedy film *Matilda*, directed by Danny DeVito, the musical was also adapted for the big screen. In October 2022, the film *Matilda the Musical* (Matilda the Musical), directed by Matthew Warchus—who also directed the original stage production—and featuring new songs by Tim Minchin written specifically for the film, orchestrated by Christopher Nightingale, just as in the theatrical version of the musical. Distributed on Netflix, this film—brimming with girl power and the wild energy of childhood anarchy, packed with memorable songs, energetic dance numbers, and standout performances by movie stars— has captivated millions of viewers, both young and old, around the world.
In Lithuania, conductor and choirmaster Vytautas Valys and choreographer Taurūnas Baužas, along with their students at the Klaipėda Children’s Opera Studio, first undertook a production of this musical a few years ago. Admittedly, it was a chamber version—a condensed adaptation of the musical. Students from the Klaipėda Children’s Opera Studio are also participating in this production at the Klaipėda State Music Theater—directed by Rūta Bunikytė and intended for the whole family—which we could consider the Lithuanian premiere of the musical “Matilda.”
Freitag 18:00