"Matilda Jr" by Roald Dahl.

Wilsthorpe School Theatre, Long Eaton.

"Matilda Jr" is the story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires and has the audience rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.

Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments, including spending time in "The Chokey", for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace, as well as changing the life of Miss Honey!

I have seen several "junior" versions of "Matilda" over the years and have gradually grown to like the musical. I think it's got to the stage where I actually love this musical, thanks to this production. Every version I have seen has been rather good but this production just nudges that bar up another notch.

"Matilda The Musical" is based in a school setting, and in some versions I have seen, it just didn't quite feel like a school, but as this is a school that has produced this show this time around, the ability to use a large amount of school children to create that atmosphere and that really worked for me. Needless to say, it's a big ensemble!

Matilda is played by Holly; this is Holly's first show with Wilsthorpe and she has got everything spot on as Matilda. From the voice to the attitude, and how she made that beaker fly off the table, not once but twice is real theatrical magic. I looked for strings or some way to make that beaker move but I could see nothing. A fantastic debut and you can tell her dance training has paid off in this production.

Mr Wormwood, Matilda's dad, was played by Quillen in his Wilsthorpe debut. I know Quillen, as well as his very talented siblings - the last time I was at Wilsthorpe, two years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing his brother Findlay in "High School Musical Jr". It's about time that Quillen was given a main leading man role and he managed this role brilliantly. Quillen is a funny guy away from the stage and so taking the lead man in a comedy role is right up his street. He has funny bones, he sings well with a Cockney accent and has the moves. 

Yasmin played the self-obsessed Mrs Wormwood, Matilda's mother. Sometimes I have to pinch myself as to just how very good these young people are. I last saw Yasmin as Rusty Charlie in "Guys 'n' Dolls" which is a completely different character to this one, show great diversity in Yasmin's acting armoury. Another excellent female comedy role, and played brilliantly and naturally comical by Yasmin, who has all the signs of being a brilliant character actress.

Michael, Matilda's TV obsessed brother is played by Harry. I love this role and I love the way that Harry brings the excitement that Michael feels at the simplest of things.

Rudolpho, Mrs Wormwood's personal dance teacher, is played by Ben. A wonderfully camp character that Ben plays with great zest and confidence. Great costume for this character who reminded me quite a bit of dancer/choreographer Louis Spence from Pineapple Studios.

Miss Honey is played by Livvi, and this is Livvi's final show with Wilsthorpe, but what a role to go out on. A sensitive and compassionate role which meant that when she did rear up, it made you sit up and take notice.

Miss Trunchball is played by Ivan, and I have also had the pleasure of seeing and having the chance to write things about Ivan, who I last saw in "Crazy For You" as Moose. As with Quillen, it's about time we saw Ivan in a main role and Miss Trunchball is played deliciously evil. the scene where Bruce belches and the chocolatey mist that spreads over the class is brilliantly and comically received by Ivan's Trunchball as her tongue flicks the air like a lizard. Excellent characterisation, and this role, at the final bows, was received with cheers and not boos, which all shows the love this audience on Wednesday evening felt for Ivan's portrayal of this nasty.

Mrs Phelps, the school librarian, who loves to listen to Matilda's stories and engulf herself in them is played by Elsie. You actually believe that Miss Phelps believes in Matilda's stories due to the excitement and the concern she shows as the stories are unfolding, all showing that Elsie managed to convince us of her character and the character's investment.

The Acrobat in Matilda's story is played by Avanni and the Escapologist in the story is played by Jude. The scenes with this pair really take you into the world of danger and fantasy and I loved the puppetry utilised in their scenes.

One scene from the film that always stuck with me was Bruce Bogtrotter's devouring of the famous chocolate cake, as a punishment by Miss Trunchbull. Playing Bruce was Harrison who has played the role previously in primary school. This particular scene managed to avert my eyes away from the chocolate cake scoffing long enough for me to not notice where that massive cake actually disappeared to. I normally watch carefully where it disappears but due to the cleverly choreographed scene, I completely missed it disappearing! Looking at their theatrical CV in the programme, they obviously have a love for performing varied roles, and this is another hit role to top their CV.

The Cook who brought in the massive chocolate cake for Bruce to eat, is played by Sienna.

Nigel is played by Ronnie.

Lavender, Matilda's best friend, is played by Libby, who is another young actress I've had the pleasure of seeing on stage in Long Eaton a couple times previously. There's a scene in Act two where Lavender sets the scene for the "newt" scene, trying to not give too much away and ends up giving it all away. A lovely character role highlighting a delightful young actress.

Daisy plays Erica, Noah plays Tommy, Beth is Hortensia, Bethany is Amanda and Heather is Alice, the main children in Matilda's class.

Sergei is played by Alexa and the two Mafia heavies are played by Megan and Sienna.

The Mechanic at Wormwood Motors is played by Chris.

The three main "Big Kids" are played by Sophie, Katie and Molly.

The Big Kid Principal Dancers are Sophie, Katie, Harriet, Molly, Rowan, Avanni, Matilda, Jude, Kiera, Florence, Connie, Alexia, Cherry and Jasmine.

The Little Kid Principal Dancers are Effie, Pamela, Darcie, Olivia, Laila and Maddie.

The Big Kids Acting Ensemble consist of Ben, Sienna, Evangeline, Amiliah, Tom, Chris, Alexa, Megan, Nicole, Scarlett F, Erin, Gracie, Caleb, Christina, Sophie, Olivia, Scarlett S, Honey, Evie and Lydia.

The Little Kids Acting Ensemble consist of Amelia, Dan, Matilda, Megan, Tayha, Erin, Reuben, Sia, Harvey, Abigail, Nancy, Anya, Ravini, Archie, Thea-Rose, Eva-Summer, Skye, Pearl, Jessica, Evie, Beth, Esmae, Layla, Emily, Sophie P, Ruby, Noah, Holly and Lilly. 

Deftly stage managed by Miss S Beara

The Creative Team are Mr D Page, Miss S Beara, Miss Plummer, Mrs Baker and Miss Howell.

The start of Act Two seemed to be very new to me, or maybe other productions had not managed to get this scene stuck in my mind. It's a wonderful comedy sketch headed up by Mr Wormwood as he addresses the audience, almost panto style participation and then launching into a piece called "Tele", extolling the virtues and the knowledge gained by Wormwood by watching the television. I loved the introduction of a Teletubby, Del Boy and other TV characters.

I also loved the puppetry used in this production, especially the use of books to create a talking face with eyes, nose and mouth. There's also other forms of puppetry included, which I won't spoil by telling you what it is, but it's done very well by these young people.

The set and props are designed and created by Miss S Beara, Mrs K Fowler, the Arts Department as well as Proscenium Scenery Hire. As soon as you step into the theatre space, you become engulfed in the world of Matilda with large blocks that can be moved round, massive bookcases and a large TV set. The stage set itself is practically floor to ceiling with towering book cases, the blackboard magically writes itself, and there are loads of desks and chairs and educational paraphernalia. A really well thought out set in this show.

Sound and Lighting is by Mr D Page and Mr P London. Apart from a few mic issues at the start where some of the young actors weren't fitted with mics or the odd missed cue, the sound was really good with the possibility of the volume even being turned up a notch. the Lighting was excellent with lights scanning the audience, and one particular lighting effect used when Trunchball was spinning Amanda around in her signature "hammer throw" was very effective.

The songs from the musical will be well known with the opening number "Miracle" performed in a brilliantly choreographed piece where everyone seems to appear from behind a table on stage. Everybody who loves musical theatre should know the songs "Naughty", "Revolting Children" and "When I Grow Up", but also listen out for the clever "Smell Of Rebellion", sung by Miss Trunchball with a brilliantly comical choreography section. Comedian Tim Minchin, who is responsible for the music and lyrics for this show, has a knack of writing songs that will be hanging around for decades to come and will be stuck in your mind for days.

The Technical Crew consist of Emily, Oscar, Zack, Tayler, Winnie, Theo, Oli, Mason, Ruby, Alyssa-Mae, Freyja and Eleanor.

This is a big musical with over a hundred people, students and staff involved, and the quality of these contributors is on the stage to see

"Matilda Jr" is being performed at Wilsthorpe School Theatre in Long Eaton until Friday 13 March.