Finding the right kid to play a telekinetic genius isn't exactly a weekend job. It’s actually a logistical nightmare. When the Royal Shakespeare Company first started casting Matilda the Musical actors back in 2010, they weren't just looking for a "good singer." They needed a tiny, ten-year-old athlete who could carry a multi-million dollar production without losing their mind.
Honestly, most people think there’s just one Matilda. There isn't. Because of strict child labor laws in the UK and US, every production has to cast three or four girls to rotate the role. If you saw the show on a Tuesday, you saw a different kid than the person who went on Wednesday. It’s a revolving door of talent.
The Original Revolutionaries of the West End
The Stratford-upon-Avon tryout in 2010 was the "guinea pig" phase. Adrianna Bertola, Josie Griffiths, and Kerry Ingram were the first to wear the blue pinafore. Kerry Ingram is probably the name you recognize most because she went on to play Shireen Baratheon in Game of Thrones. Yeah, the girl who sang "Naughty" ended up meeting a much grimmer fate in Westeros.
When the show moved to London's Cambridge Theatre in 2011, a new quartet took over. Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Cleo Demetriou, Sophia Kiely, and Kerry Ingram (the only carryover) basically made history. They shared the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Eleanor was only ten years old at the time. She’s still the youngest person to ever win an Olivier. Think about that. Most of us were struggling with long division at ten, and she was winning the British equivalent of a Tony.
Why the Trunchbull is Always a Man (Sorta)
One of the weirdest—and best—creative choices in the stage show is casting a man as Miss Trunchbull. It wasn't just for a laugh. It makes her feel more physically imposing, like a giant among children.
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Bertie Carvel was the blueprint. He didn't play her like a pantomime dame or a drag queen. He played her like a terrifying, high-performance athlete who happened to hate children. He was so good that he moved with the show to Broadway and won a Drama Desk Award for it.
The Movie Shift
Then 2022 happened. Netflix and Sony decided to turn the musical into a movie. Suddenly, the "man-in-a-dress" tradition was tossed out. They cast Emma Thompson.
Some fans were annoyed. They thought it ruined the stage tradition. But honestly? Thompson was terrifying. She spent three hours in the makeup chair every morning to get those prosthetic jowls and that "hammer-thrower" physique. It was a different vibe, less theatrical and more "I might actually throw you over a fence."
The Broadway Invasion
When the show crossed the Atlantic in 2013, it hit the Shubert Theatre like a freight train. The original Broadway Matildas—Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon, and Milly Shapiro—didn't just get reviews; they got a Tony Honor for Excellence.
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Oona Laurence is a name to watch. She’s been in everything lately, from Southpaw with Jake Gyllenhaal to The Beguiled. Milly Shapiro, on the other hand, went the horror route. If you’ve seen Hereditary, you know her. She’s the girl who makes that clicking sound with her tongue. It's a far cry from the "miracle" child of Crunchem Hall.
The Cast That Didn't Sing
We can’t talk about Matilda the Musical actors without mentioning the people who paved the way in the 1996 non-musical movie.
- Mara Wilson: The definitive Matilda for an entire generation.
- Danny DeVito: Who directed and played the sleazy Mr. Wormwood.
- Pam Ferris: The original Trunchbull who used to put actual ginger in her ears to stay in character.
- Embeth Davidtz: The Miss Honey we all wished we had in first grade.
The musical actors have a different burden. They have to do all that acting while executing Peter Darling’s insanely sharp choreography. If you've ever seen "Revolting Children," you know those kids are basically doing a HIIT workout while belting in C major.
Who is Playing Miss Honey Now?
Miss Honey is the emotional anchor. In the movie musical, Lashana Lynch took the role. It was a huge departure from her role as 007 in No Time to Die. She brought a soulfulness to "My House" that honestly made the stage version feel a bit thin in comparison.
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On stage, Lauren Ward was the original. She’s married to the director, Matthew Warchus, which is a fun bit of trivia. She played the role with a specific kind of "shaking-leaf" vulnerability that set the tone for every actress who followed.
Behind the Scenes Chaos
It’s not all ribbons and books. Working with a cast that’s 70% children is a nightmare for a stage manager.
- The Growth Spurt Problem: Kids grow. Fast. Sometimes a Matilda would outgrow her costume halfway through her contract.
- The "Voice Break" Crisis: In the London production, boys playing Bruce Bogtrotter have been known to "retire" early because their voices dropped mid-run.
- The Swing Life: There are adult "swings" who have to know every single adult role in the show. If the Escapologist gets sick and Mr. Wormwood stubbed his toe, one person has to be ready to jump in.
Where Are They Now?
The "Matilda Pipeline" is real. This show produces stars.
- Alisha Weir: The 2022 movie star. She’s already moving into big-budget horror and drama.
- Adrianna Bertola: One of the very first Matildas, she’s had a steady career in British TV and theater.
- Gabriel Ebert: The original Broadway Mr. Wormwood. He won a Tony for the role and is now a staple of the New York stage.
How to Track the Current Cast
If you're looking to see who is currently in the show, you have to check the specific production website (like the West End's official site) because the turnover is constant. Usually, a "Matilda" stays in the role for about six months before they get too tall or their contract ends.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you’re obsessed with the casting of this show, here is how you stay in the loop:
- Check the Playbill: For any US-based touring or regional productions, Playbill’s "Vault" is the only reliable way to see who was in the cast on a specific date.
- Follow the "Matilda The Musical" Socials: They usually announce the "New Class" of Matildas every six months with a big photoshoot.
- Watch the Pro-Shot: There isn't an official Broadway pro-shot, but the 2022 movie is the closest you'll get to seeing the choreography performed by a "perfect" cast with unlimited takes.
The legacy of Matilda the Musical actors isn't just about who played the lead. It's about the ensemble of kids who have to be "revolting" on cue every night. It is arguably the hardest show for a child actor in the history of musical theater, and the fact that they pull it off eight times a week is kind of a miracle in itself.