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Lee Merryweather
The Drama Lab students are performing the award-winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, MATILDA Jr The musical from 10th – 18th May 2024, in our community at Table View Primary School.
MATILDA Jr The Musical is an award-winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company. It is based on Roald Dahl’s beloved novel, cleverly scripted by Dennis Kelly with wonderful music by Tim Minchin. It is the enchanting tale of an extraordinary little girl with a vivid imagination, a sharp mind, and a keen sense of right and wrong, who dares to take a stand against Miss Trunchbull – the biggest bully ever.
Along with Miss Honey and her school friends, little Matilda will inspire children and adults alike. This version is adapted by the creators and is devised to be a bit shorter than the original. It is the perfect vehicle for young audiences and performers.
This production is mounted by The Drama Lab, a Drama and Musical Theatre training studio in the heart of Table View (since 2016). Direction is in the hands of mother and daughter team, Julie Dickson (Drama Lab mentor and founder), and Fleur du Cap awardee Bethany Dickson. Both are experienced theatre performers; of particular interest is the fact that Bethany recently played Miss Honey in the Royal Shakespeare Company international touring cast of Matilda. Creating a fresh take on the musical, but still honouring the spirit of this iconic piece has been a formidable and creative process for the duo.
In all Drama Lab productions, an aesthetic is lovingly created using integrated design elements which are pulled through into the bespoke costumes, sets and props. Audiences can expect to see a transformed space with extended staging and a professional lighting and sound rig - which provides a true theatre experience for the audiences. Part of the motivation behind this massive effort is to extend the training beyond just weekly classes and to place this hungry cast of young actors slap-bang into the middle of a real stage, with all the rigour, excitement and hours of work that go into a true theatrical production. Join the 48 strong cast of Drama Lab students as they tell the story of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. If the rehearsals are anything to go by, they will raise the roof with their exuberant performances.
Due to the amazing generosity of Table View Primary School, The Drama Lab family has had a home for the rehearsal period and have an airy performance space for this production (rather fitting that it is a school hall). The Drama Lab founder Julie Dickson is quietly convinced of the importance of OUR COMMUNITY. Many of us travel into town, Camps Bay, and all over the peninsula to get to theatres. This time, Cape Town must come to US. Table View Primary School’s approach to community building is inspiring and the cast and crew are thankful for their welcoming atmosphere. Thank you for believing in what we do; it is gratefully acknowledged.
As our costumes, props and sets are springing to life, the cast of young thespians are witnessing the labour of the hard-working creative team who are collaborating to make them shine. Marna Wright (costumes), Jax Reed (sets) and Kate Bransgrove (props) have formed teams to design and realise these essential aspects of the production. Along with essential marketing and exceptional administrative parent group, the collective goal of all involved in this production is to enable the cast of young people to fly.
Rather like a rallying cry, these 3 values are behind everything we do.
“Know Your Worth”
“Find The Light”
“Protect The Work”
MATILDA Jr. The Musical
Produced and performed by The Drama Lab
Dates: Friday 10th May – Saturday 18th May
Price: from R140
Venue: Table View Primary School, Merriman Road, Table View
Bookings: Quicket
Direction, Design, Staging and Choreography: Julie Dickson and Bethany Dickson
Musical Director: Raé Swart
Please Note: No children under 4 years