About the Musical

​​MATILDA WORMWOOD (female)

An imaginative girl who is clever and wise far beyond her years. She has a thirst for learning that cannot be quenched. She should be as small as possible. Enigmatic, serious, intense. Sincere and adorable. Very strong acting ability, clear voice with perfect pitch and clarity. She carries the entire show. The hero of the show. She’s brilliant, resilient, creative, and kind, despite growing up in difficult circumstances. Her parents treat her poorly, but Matilda escapes into a world of books, which puts her reading level far above the other children in her class. Plan to sing “Quiet” at auditions.

 

MATILDA MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

Once upon a time, the two greatest circus performers in the world – an escapologist, who could escape from any lock that was ever invented; and an acrobat, who was so skilled, it seemed as if she could actually fly – fell in love and got married. They performed some of the most incredible feats together anyone had ever seen, and people would come from miles around: king, queens, celebrities, and astronauts. And not just to see their skill, but also to see their love for each other, which was so deep that it was said that cats would purr as they passed them, and dogs would weep with joy. But, although they loved each other, although they were famous and everyone loved them, they were sad. “We have everything that the world has to offer,” said the wife. “But we do not have the one thing in the world we want most. We do not have a child.” “Patience, my love,” the husband replied. “Time is on our side. Even time loves us.” But time is the one thing no one is master of, and as time passed, they grew quite old, and still had no child. At night, they listened to the silence of their big, empty house, and they would imagine how beautiful it would be if it was filled with the sounds of children playing. Their sadness overwhelmed them and drew them on to ever-more dangerous feats, as their work became the only place they could escape the inescapable tragedy of their lives. And so it was they decided to perform the most dangerous feat ever known to man. “It is called, “said the husband, announcing the even to the world’s press, who had gathered to listen with bated breath, “The Burning Woman Hurling Through the Air With Dynamite in Her Hair Over Sharks and Spiky Objects, Caught By the Man Locked in the Cage – and it is the most dangerous feat ever known to man!”

 

MISS AGATHA TRUNCHBULL (female)

The tyrannical headmistress at Matilda's school who despises children. Former athlete. Extremely good enunciation and vocal dexterity. This character is traditionally played by a male, but can be played by male or female in our production. STRONG comedy and character actor preferred. The quintessential terrifying tyrant. As headmistress, she runs her school like a dictator, making up arbitrary rules to suit her every whim and dreaming up creative punishments. The Trunchbull can be played by a male or female (though the character is female). Plan to sing the first half of “The Smell of Rebellion” at auditions.

 

TRUNCHBULL MONOLOGUES FOR CALLBACKS:

And I tell you that there is nothing that I shall not do, no length to which I shall not go, no punishment I shall not...(she feels a newt-lizard-crawing up her leg)

What is it? What is it? The newt! It’s... it’s ...heading north! I’ve got a newt in my knickers! I’ve got a newt in my knickers! I’ve got a newt in my knickers!

 

In this world, children, there are two types of human being: the winners, and the losers. I am a winner. I play by the rules, and I win. But if I play by the rules and I do not win, then something is wrong. Something is not working. And when something is wrong, you have to put it right. Even if it screams. What are you looking at? This class is going to have a very special spelling test. Any child who gets a single answer wrong shall ... go ... to ... Chokey! “But You can’t put us all in Chokey, Miss!” Come now, maggots. Do you think I hadn’t thought of that? I’ve been busy. A whole array of Chokeys await - one for each and every one of you!

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MISS HONEY (female)

Matilda's kindhearted teacher. She is tired of living in fear under Miss Trunchbull. A mild person who never yells and is adored by every small child under her care. She should have a curious warmth and fragility. A teacher at Matilda’s school. She is kind, is generous, and really cares about the children despite her own desperate circumstances. Miss Honey is both sweet and strong. Plan to sing the first half of “My House” at auditions.

 

MISS HONEY MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

Yes, Miss Trunchbull, there’s – in, in, in, in my class, that is, there is ... Mat- a little girl called Matilda Wormwood, and – Miss Trunchbull, Matilda Wormwood is a genius. She knows her times tables. She can read! I have to tell you, Headmistress, that in my opinion, this little girl should be placed in the top form with the eleven years olds. I believe that Matilda Wormwood is an exception to the rules. I must tell you, headmistress, that it is my intention to help this little girl, w-w-w-whether you like it or not!

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LAVENDER (female)

Matilda's classmate and friend. Strong singing and acting. Loud and kooky - likes to have fun - big personality. Plan to sing “Miracle #1: Lavender’s solo” at auditions.

 

LAVENDER MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

Hello. I’m Lavender, by the way. Matilda’s best friend. There’s a bit coming up that’s all about me. Well, not exactly about me, but I play a big part in it. But I’m not gonna say what happens because I don’t want to spoil it for you. [pause] Alright, look. What I do is, I volunteer to get the Trunchbull a jug of water, and then ... No! I don’t want to tell you any more because I don’t want to ruin it! [pause] Well, on the way back, I find a newt. A newt is like a really ugly lizard that lives in water. So, I pick it up and ... No! I will not say any more! [pause] I’m going to put the new in the Trunchbull’s jug! It’s going to be brilliant!

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MRS. PHELPS (female)

Warm and nurturing local librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading. She loves Matilda's dramatic storytelling and encourages it. She's playful and fun. No solos – Please sing ensemble song for audition.

 

PHELPS MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

Matilda! What a pleasure to see you. Here in the library again, are we? Your parents must be so proud to have a girl as clever as you. And do you tell them lots of stories like you do with me? Oh, I love your stories, Matilda – and that’s not a hint, by the way – but if you did happen to have a story you wanted to tell me ... I mean, just a little bit? Isn’t here a little bit more ... ? Well, I suppose your mother will be waiting for you. I’ll see you tomorrow, after your first day of school!

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THE ACROBAT (female)

A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination, and beyond. Telling the stories through physically is important. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

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THE ESCAPOLOGIST ​(male)

A character in a story Matilda tells to Mrs. Phelps who comes to life in their imagination, and beyond. Telling the stories through physically is important. Plan to sing “Acrobat Story IV, verse 1” at auditions.

 

ESCAPOLOGIST MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ... The Burning Woman Hurling Through the Air With Dynamite in Her Hair Over Sharks and Spiky Objects, Caught By the Man Locked in the Cage ... has ... been ... cancelled.” The audience gasped so loud that a passing airplane caught it on its instrumentation and reported it as an atmospheric phenomenon. “Cancelled because ... my wife ... is pregnant!”

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MR. WORMWOOD ​(male)

Matilda's uncaring father. A slimy, greedy used-car salesman. Strong comedic acting needed. A weasley or ratty essence and voice. He is egotistical, rude, and not very bright, not to mention a liar. Though Mr. Wormwood is not a good person and he is mean to Matilda, his harebrained schemes can be hilariously funny. Plan to sing “Telly” at auditions.

 

MR. WORMWOOD MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

This is your fault! With your stupid books and your stupid reading! You’re off to school in a few days and I know your headmistress Agatha Trunchbull. I’ve told her all about you. Scary woman she is, used to compete in the Olympics, throwing the hammer. Imagine what she’s going to do to a horrible little goblin like you, boy.

 

(He addresses audience directly at the beginning of Act 2) I would like to offer an apology for some of the things that have been going on here tonight. They are not nice things, and they are not right things, and I would like to state garrantorically that we do not want any children that might be here tonight watching this to go home and try these things out for themselves. I am of course talking about ... reading books. It is normal for kids to behave in this fashion, though it stunts the brain, wears out the eyes, makes kids ugly, stinky, fatty, sweaty, betty, boring, gaseous, and crucially, it gives them varrucas ... of the mind. Under no circumstances do we condone such activities. Can I just ask, how many people here have ever read a book? Well, don’t take this the wrong way, but ... Bookworm! Bookworm! Stupid little bookworm! Reading all the books like a stinky little bookworm! You read books like a ... worm. Worms read books, you read books. Worms are stupid. You’re a ... sworm. There. Now, learn from that.

 

MRS. WORMWOOD ​(female)

Matilda's self-absorbed, negligent mother and an amateur ballroom dancer. Strong singer & dancer & comedic actress. Matilda’s mother. Like her husband, she dislikes Matilda and does not understand why her daughter loves to read. Mrs. Wormwood is selfish, obsessed with her own appearance, and believes everything she sees on TV. Her dancing lessons with Rudolpho are the most important part of her day. Plan to sing “Loud” at auditions.

 

MRS. WORMWOOD MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

Look at this, she’s reading a book. That’s not normal for a five year old. I think she might be an idiot. And she keeps trying to tell me stories, Harry. It’s not normal for a girl to be all thinking.

I’ve got a whole house to look after, dinners don’t microwave themselves you know! I am off to bleach my roots and I shan’t be talking to you for the rest of the evening.

 

MICHAEL WORMWOOD ​(male)

Matilda's older brother who is favored by their parents, although he is not very bright. Needs good deadpan comedy and the ability to find a character during a lot of stage time with few words. Matilda’s brother. He is not very bright, though he is the apple of his father’s eye. This is a hilarious supporting role for a younger actor with comedic timing, as Michael’s contributions to the scene usually function as deadpan one-liners. No solos - Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

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BRUCE

Matilda's classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Comic. One of Matilda’s schoolmates. He has the bad luck to get caught after eating Trunchbull’s cake. Bruce goes through quite a transformation throughout the show and has some important solos. Plan to sing “Revolting Children” at auditions.

 

BRUCE MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

Okay, look. Alright. I stole the cake. And honestly, I was really, definitely, sort of almost thinking about owning up. Maybe? But the thing is, I was having a lot of trouble with my belly. You see, the Trunchbull’s cake was so good that I’d scoffed it down too quick, and now it was beginning to fight back. And then ... it happened. It was the biggest burp I had ever done. It was the biggest burp I had ever heard, the biggest burp I had ever heard about. It was like the entire world went silent for that burp to exist, as a huge cloud of chocolatey gas wafted from my mouth and drifted ... across the class ... past Lavender ... past Alice ... past Matilda ... and then, my great, big, beautiful, chocolatey burp, which now seemed to have a mind of its own, wafted full into the face of the Trunchbull.

 

NIGEL

One of the kids at school with Matilda. He is enthusiastic, sweet, and always in a bit of a panic. Nigel has a few solos and some great featured moments in the show. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

 

HORTENSIA

Classmate of Matilda – sings solos, has a few lines. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

 

ALICE

Classmate of Matilda – sings solos. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

 

TOMMY

Classmate of Matilda – sings solos. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

 

ERIC

A student at school with Matilda. He has the very first solo line of the entire show. He also has some featured moments as one of Matilda’s schoolmates. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

 

AMANDA

A student at school with Matilda. She has a few solos and lines, but her most featured moment is when Trunchbull throws her through the air using her pigtails. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

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RUDOLPHO ​(male)

Mrs. Wormwood's ballroom dance partner. Needs strong comedic actor. Should be genuinely fit and athletic and have great vocal and dance stamina. Latin ballroom is an advantage. A dancer would be great, but if he's hilarious with physical comedy, it doesn't matter. He has a duet with Mrs. Wormwood - Plan to sing second half of “Loud” at auditions. You may be asked to read lines at callbacks.

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DOCTOR

Mrs. Wormwood's Doctor when she goes into labor with Matilda. Plan to sing “Miracle #3 (Doctor’s solo)” at auditions.

 

DOCTOR MONOLOGUE FOR CALLBACKS:

You’re getting on a plane, Mrs. Wormwood? I ... think we should have a talk. Mrs. Wormwood, you’re pregnant. You’re going to have a baby! A baby, Mrs. Wormwood, a child! The most precious gift that the natural world can bestow upon us has been handed to you! A brand-new human being, a life, a person, a wonderful new person is about to come into your life to bring magic and happiness and wonder!

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CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINER 

A party entertainer at the start of the show. Plan to sing “Miracle #1 solo” at auditions.

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SERGEI

Head of the Mafia. Extremely dangerous and intimidating but becomes charmed by Matilda. Russian accent would be ideal. A customer swindled by Mr. Wormwood. Though he shows up looking for payback, Matilda has had quite enough of revenge, and Sergei lets the Wormwoods escape. He sings “Priyatha Paznakomitsa”. Plan to sing “Bows” at auditions.

 

SERGEI MONOLOGUE FOR AUDITIONS: (Try a Russian accent, if possible) You are the Wormwood’s daughter? The Wormwood is a stupid man. And being stupid, he assumed I was stupid too. And that is a very, very stupid – and rude – thing to do. But you know this. At least there is one clever one in the family. I like you, Matilda. You seem smart. Sadly, in my line of work, I don’t often get to meet smart people like you. Most of the people I deal with, their thinking is all backwards. Matilda, your father has been stupid and rude to both of us, yes? I can very easily have one of my friends ... teach him manners. And one day, when he leaves hospital, he will still be stupid, but not so rude, I think. I give this as a gift to you. What do you say?

 

ENSEMBLE CHARACTERS

Cook

Mafia Henchman

Big Kids

Little Kids

Parents

Nurses

Featured Dancers (Loud, etc)

Featured Tumblers (Big Kids or Little Kids)

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