Matilda has won its first award and I am sure not its last. The show was awarded the “Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical” at The Critics’ Circle Awards Ceremony yesterday. The Award was collected by Matthew Warchus and Josie Griffiths and it is highly unusual for a non- London based musical to win.
Mat Wolf, critic for the International Herald Tribune, who presented the Award, said: ‘I have been to many press nights and have witnessed standing ovations. But the standing ovation for this show was very different. I watched the audience which consisted of kids giggling and chatting, adults wiping away a tear and sobbing. Why? This is a rare show that speaks to people on two levels. Children respond to the colour, the athletics and the burp joke and the adults respond to that – but also respond to the fact that it is wise, witty profound and extremely smart. At the end of the musical, there is a pun on Matilda which is better even than Sondheim. I can honestly say that this is the best British musical I’ve seen in my 27 years in this country.’
Well high praise indeed and let’s hope it is not too long before the show reappears to wow new audiences in London.
The full list of awards for 2011
Best New Play: Clybourne Park (Royal Court)
The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical (new or revival): Matilda, A Musical (Courtyard Theatre RSC)
Best Actor: David Suchet in All My Sons (Apollo Theatre)
Best Actress: Jenny Jules in Ruined (Almeida Theatre)
The John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance: Derek Jacobi in King Lear (Donmar Warehouse)
Best Director (awarded jointly): Michael Grandage for King Lear (Donmar Warehouse); Thea Sharrock for After The Dance (National Theatre)
Best Designer: Bunny Christie for The White Guard (National Theatre)
Most Promising Playwright: Anya Reiss for Spur Of The Moment (Royal Court)
Most Promising Newcomer: Daniel Kaluuya in Sucker Punch (Royal Court)
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