Toll Bar students bring West End Matilda magic to Cleethorpes in first major show for years

Children will be revolting when a school brings a smash West End hit to Cleethorpes.

Matilda the Musical will be performed by Waltham Toll Bar Academy students in its first major production in many years.

The show will take place at the Parkway Cinema and Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday June 26 and 27. The big production follows the creation of a new Performing Arts department at the school, led by Co-Director of Arts Gemma Carter.

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“We held auditions for the roles in September and rehearsals started shortly after,” she said. They’re going really well. We visited the Parkway and the students were so excited to see the theatre space. It has all made it seem very real.”

The set will arrive and be constructed on June 24 with a full dress and technical rehearsal the following day ahead of the public shows.

“We are all very excited,” said Gemma. “The students have been absolutely fantastic to work with, showing a real dedication to learning their lines. We promise the audience an energetic, dynamic, exciting, family friendly show with lots of fun.

“It is part of our ambition to build Performing Arts at the Academy to be the best in the area and, hopefully, this is just the start.”

The lead role will be played by 11-year-old Sophie High. “I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s the first time I will have been on stage acting and singing, though I have been dancing for with CLS Dance Studio for eight years.

“I just want it to go really well and everyone who comes and watches has some fun. It is stressful but I’m sure it will be worth it.

“We’re having great fun in rehearsals and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

She was given the role after a tough audition. “There was a lot of competition and eight got through to the final round. I found out when the cast list was put up and was thrilled to find out I was going to be Matilda.”

The role of Bruce will be played by 12-year-old Will Rowe, also in Year 7 and a member of Cats Kids drama group for the past eight years.

“I auditioned and was really, really happy to get the role,” he said. “It’s going to be a good show, with lots of singing, dancing and fun.”

Principal Nigel Whittle said students and staff were looking forward to the show.

“It’s a huge team effort to put on something as big as this and I am excited about going to watch our exceptionally talented students,” he said. “It’s caused a real buzz around the school and this is a great showcase for our relatively new Performing Arts department.

“We hope people will support our students and snap up the remaining tickets.” The production is based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 book Matilda, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

Tickets for the two shows, priced £5, are available from www.cleethorpes.parkwaycinemas.co.uk