A Triumphant History of Matilda the Musical (WitW S2E4)

Matilda the Musical could have been a flop. With a director who had yet to prove himself in the relm of musicals, a playwright who had never written a script for one, and an Australian comedian, the odds were stacked against the show from the beginning...or were they? Learn more about the history of Matilda The Musical with this in depth documentary!
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Executive Producers 🎭 ($10+ on Patreon):
Defunctland
Brent Black
NoxieZeBat
Nate Gardner
Ethan
Julian Dene
LAZTM Productions
Tommy Kindall
Abigail Verzella
John Fogg
Autumn
JC
Chase Eujene McCants
Katherine Esperanza
Briana Michelle Meyer
Schaffrillas Productions
Melissa Marquette
Best in the Biz 🎟 ($5+ on Patreon) :
Sarah Hammer
Max Rohtbart
Anon
Clarissa Wee
Ruben Esquer
Nate Williams
Hailee Longo
Malpertuis
Nicofo
Todd Ramsey
WORKS CITED: drive.google.com/file/d/1WioJ...

[@BrianaMichelleMeyer]

Revolting Children is kiddie B*tch of Living and I will stand by that statement forever. Matilda is one of the best shows out there.

[@WaitintheWings]

Briana Michelle Meyer I’ll never listen to it the same now haha

[@GennaG]

OH MY GOD, IT IS AHHHHHHH

[@themelodystar4286]

considering Tim Michin's previous work, this makes complete sense now.

[@Roadtripper5432]

That's exactly what I said when I saw the Tony performance

[@K_m46]

Bro I- 😳 wait you’re right

[@soapie1285]

Watching all these kids cary a 2 1/2 hour musical so amazingly makes me feel bad because I just spent 5 minutes looking for my phone while it was in my hand

[@WaitintheWings]

Musical Freak 😂😂😂 this comment killed me

[@missybarbour6885]

SAAAAAME

[@avasanbas1966]

hahaha

[@rapsakkc-rwoah9258]

Don’t worry about it we have the best time ever! In fact most of us hate days and weeks off 😂

[@sexydudeuk2172]

Its certainly not easy to keep kids entertained and motivated during rehearsals thats for sure! Their attention spans are so short that its hard to keep them going! I've seen some shows where I could tell the children looked like they didn't wanna be there but seeing matilda in the west end I could tell the children all loved being on stage and were having a good time

[@giovannirastrelli9821]

Wait, it just hit me. Royal Shakespeare Company produced TWO shows based on cult novels about a misunderstood schoolgirl who stands up to bullies with her telekinetic powers, with vastly different degrees of success.

[@Daybreaq]

It was first called to my attention when it was mentioned in the “Out for Blood” podcast about “Carrie” the musical. What I didn’t know until I watched this video though, was Roald Dahl’s first draft of “Matilda” was actually kinda a ripoff of Stephen King’s “Carrie” but then he changed her story. There’s something kinda beautiful about that: a telekinetic girls with abusive parents are not committed to their fate or a “victims of their story.” Kinda weird though how RSC decided “Ok, our last musical didn’t work out well so let’s do another about a girl with telekinesis.”

[@RLucas3000]

@@Daybreaq The failure of Carrie had nothing to do with telekinesis. It had to do with a homophone.

[@theyluvtwoset.13]

Carrie is Matilda in high school

[@UnprofessionalProfessor]

​@@RLucas3000😂😂😂 "Greece,"

[@waterlemonandfriends]

I humbly request a “what went right” episode on Six the Musical. The musical practically went global in little over a year and I’d just really like to know the intricacies of its creation and popularity

[@luthientinuviel3883]

Same! Its astounding that two college students created something that so many people love and is legitimately good and uplifting.

[@MagnitudeReviews]

I feel like we should wait for the story to play out once it eventually reaches broadway, which was supposed to be this year... but then covid happened, which is an interesting story in of itself.

[@kaileykrantz]

I also request an episode for Shrek the Musical

[@cholec9230]

two words (from what i know): cruise! ships!

[@Firegen1]

It's definitely a story of how to use the Edinburgh Fringe festival effectively. It's often a graveyard for shows who haven't worked out their appeal. Six had a perfect plan.

[@sophie7780]

matilda a musical: *broke* matilda THE musical: *woke*

[@WaitintheWings]

This made me laugh too hard lol

[@patrickramseyart]

I'd love to see an episode about the Lord of the Rings musical. For years I didn't even know it existed.

[@luthientinuviel3883]

There's a Lord of the Rings musical?!? WHAT?

[@tedioustotoro4885]

I’ve known it existed but that’s all I know

[@rsalaughton]

I saw it five times and it was beautiful and absurd and I loved every incomprehensible minute of it.

[@Chuckbuckem]

I'm sorry the what?

[@tedioustotoro4885]

Coom Slayer The musical is literally mentioned in this video because one the producer of Matilda produced LOTR before it

[@_nicolefwong]

THE BEETLEJUICE/MATILDA CONNECTION WAS NOT SOMETHING I SAW COMING

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Nicole nice. 😺

[@crimsonfirebolt1841]

Alex Brightman was in Matilda too!

[@belleanndm]

crimson firebolt wait he was? who did he play?

[@jeremysworld3061]

@@belleanndm I think he played Michael

[@ms.marvelous8156]

I saw Matilda with my mom, sister, aunt, and cousin. I think they were so used to the movie that the book adaption caught them off guard but my mom loved the “my mommy says I’m a miracle” song because she’s a teacher and knows those kids very well.

[@CanelaAguila]

What I love about that song is that it's about spoiled children in the beginning, but there is small snippets of the song in the final Revolting Children, indicating it was their parents' love and faith that gave them the strength to revolt ("Never again will I doubt it when my mommy says I'm a miracle!")

[@NoraMermaid]

Okay, the fact that we learn that Tim Minchin and Eddie Perfect are best friends makes this video even more awesome!!!

[@WaitintheWings]

Nora Mermaid It was one of the coolest connections that I knew I needed to cover

[@NoraMermaid]

Wait in the Wings and now I want Eddie and Tim to work on a musical together!!!

[@margaritacecilialimpin1052]

@@NoraMermaid i second that >:)

[@emigrace3228]

They're both prominent musical comedians in Australia - if you have followed their careers from the start it's not too surprising. I grew up on variety shows that regularly featured both as musical acts in comedy shows. Most Australian comedians who get to a certain level of success know each other. We're a friendly island ❤

[@NoraMermaid]

@@emigrace3228 I keep forgetting that Australia is such a small country in terms of people knowing each other.

[@JeddtheJedi]

When I Grow Up completely destroys me every time. Utterly devastating. Such a great marriage of composer/lyricist and source material.

[@ComputerGeek1100]

A few years ago I was asked to work on a regional production (lighting design) and not knowing much about the show I decided to listen to When I Grow Up at 1AM to familiarize myself with the score a bit. That was a mistake…

[@ConnorNotyerbidness]

I looked up the song and wow What a masterpiece

[@mick3199]

The part where Ms. Honey comes out wrecks me every time; it's so powerful.

[@ihhzt.154]

Funnily enough, I always remembered Matilda as the smart little girl, the one that liked books, that always proved to be smarter than the adults that looked down on her, the girl that used her cunning to improve her life and the lives of those similarly oppressed. Her telekinesis always seemed secondary to me. I loved how they used it sparingly and only focused on it when necessary, even giving it more depth than in the movie. I love the musical and I'm so happy you did an episode on it. Great video!

[@gartenmensch1895]

"Matilda will go on Netflix" I was very surprised of an information

[@Ellenchattergirl]

Yes

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

Further info about the movie: It's going to have Dennis Kelly writing the film's screenplay, Tim Minchin writing additional songs and music, and Mathew Warchus directing, and they recently announced that they have casted Emma Stone as Mrs. Honey and Ralph Fiennes as Ms. Trunchbull. Furthermore, Mara Wilson(the 1996's films Matilda) has also expressed interest in having a cameo in the film if asked to. Shooting was originally going to start from August to December this year, but(of course, unfortunately) they've been put on hold do to the pandemic. :( But we'll see how things proceed in the future, with Sony(who's Tri Star unit also made the 1996 film) and Netflix on board.

[@gartenmensch1895]

@@michaelwilliamybarra2409 In Germany we call someone like you "Ehrenmann" which means literally "Honored man" but in germany its more like "You are very good man for doing this"

[@goodjobeli]

@@michaelwilliamybarra2409 some of the casting is incorrect. Emma Stone is not playing Miss Honey, Lashana Lynch (who people may know as Maria Rambeu from Captain Marvel or the new 007 from the upcoming Bond movie) is playing her. You might be confusing her with Emma Thompson who is playing Mrs Trunchbull.

[@michaelwilliamybarra2409]

@@goodjobeli Now, you’d say so, but what I shared previously was the original set casting call, before they changed it to what is being reported now. Thank you for the updates, regardless, and nice detail on Lashana Lynch you added there too. I admit I’m a little nervous that she doesn’t seem to have any singing credits. Although, Miss Honey’s vocal work does seem to be best suited for a standard alto range, so I’ll keep an open mind that’ll she’ll do well here! :)

[@lewissnow7966]

The fact that the Groundhog Day Musical never took off and never came back to the UK (like the Old Vic promised) is still something that hurts my heart.

[@Skarpo89]

I learned about it after it had already closed 😢

[@vickster5001]

It’s back now!

[@kiergan4102]

Whenever I see “musical x is getting a movie/show adaptation” I get a sense of excitement, but at the same time dread.

[@nate5599]

Yeah D.E.H movie was tragic. I just hope 13 netflix movie and the Matilda Netflix movie will be better.

[@patmjr22]

Love your videos but for the next what went wrong you gotta do Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812

[@luthientinuviel3883]

That makes me sad. That show deserved so much more.

[@troybrooks698]

That would have to be "What Went Right and then Very Wrong"

[@Seraphim-yv9sn]

have I missed something? I thought that show was a great success??

[@chunellemariavictoriaespan8752]

Now that you mentioned it, I always wondered what happened to it... I mean that show was what made me obsessed with Broadway...

[@Xfactories]

Nothing went wrong - it was a critical success, but just didn't stick with the public. Lack of identifiable songs would've hurt it.

[@rosehandelman]

we did this musical at my high school. we weren't the most excited for it but once we really started running through it we fell in love with it. my house made me cry just because of how sad and dark ms honeys life was. i'm excited for the netflix adaptation, i really hope they get the right people to do the show justice!!

[@exkobri558]

Same boat as you. We’re doing this musical and we weren’t excited for it until callbacks. Of which, I was casted as Miss Trunchbull 😂

[@misslenorelee6322]

My house makes me cry every time. I saw it just after getting out of a deeply abusive relationship id been im since i was 17 years old. It helped shape several choice in my life (including taking up dance) I have undying love and I just really want the video release of the musical instead of the dissapointing movie

[@ConnorNotyerbidness]

Carrie, a musical based on a relatively recent novel about a young girl gaining telepathy, was almost the end of the Royal Shakespeare Company Matilda, a musical based on a relatively recent novek about a young girl gaining telepathy, was what saved the Royal Shakespeare Company Rather poetic, dont ya think?

[@amyvasquez4268]

The fact that the former novel has a terrifying ending while the latter has a happy ending makes it better.

[@SilverShade1008]

Tim Minchin's lyrics are beyond brilliant. I'd love to have been a fly on the wall when he wrote School Song, figuring out what words sound like each letter of the alphabet and fitting them into the melody perfectly. Bertie Carvel's performance as Trunchbull is possibly my favourite villain performance ever. I've seen other actors play her but they usually lean too far into the comedy. Trunchbull can be funny, but Carvel understood that she is never ever a clown; she is a force of terror. I love this show so much.

[@thegospelaccordingtoeljefe5520]

I'm starting to notice a theme that the best musicals are the ones that are goofy and funny until shit gets real

[@missybarbour6885]

Ok, I already knew you had Defunctland as a patron, but Schafrillas Productions? Legends supporting legends. How do you not have more subscribers?

[@TheActualCathal]

The RSC flop he alludes to is Carrie, for those who weren't sure.

[@giovannirastrelli9821]

I guess RSC learned the hard the hard way with that show that you never know what your nickel buys when you grab a box of crackerjacks and open up the prize.

[@NayvieNoir]

I have a soft spot for Carrie, but I can admit it’s pretty flawed

[@DannyGambit]

Whenever I see a clip of Vince McMahon saying he's going to "shake things up", I get an overwhelming sense of dread.

[@WaitintheWings]

Danny Gambit I couldn’t find him saying it circa 2006 😂

[@DannyGambit]

@@WaitintheWings It's just more in the sense of Vince changing things just for the sake of changing things. Even then, him changing things is calculated and micromanaged beyond belief. He's trying to be like a broadway play with scripting lines for his wrestlers to read, but professional wrestling is not mostly about who wins and loses, it's the journey about how they get to that finish. That's what makes it exciting and entertaining.

[@matttylermiller88]

It makes you appreciate a musical so much more when you realize all of the work behind-the-scenes.

[@DisneyDahling]

I was having a hard time at my job when I first saw Matilda on broadway, and I completely lost it at "When I grow up". The pureness and nostalgia was so authentic it hit me really hard. And now thanks to this video I know how Matilda the musical became the greatness that it is.

[@aniretakc]

This show sparked my love of theater. Saw it when I was 8 with my mom in New York and she somehow managed to get us super nice seats and I was blown away. This show will forever hold a place in my heart

[@WaitintheWings]

Fealine387 The real question is...what words did YOU find when looking at the set? Lol

[@aniretakc]

Wait in the Wings ah I wish I could remember! It was so long ago! I believe I saw the word “lizard” in there though

[@gabbynavickas3937]

Me too! It was my first ever show and I'm so glad I saw it, I loved it so much I think I still have all the songs memorized today haha

[@aniretakc]

Gabby Navickas haha same. I still blast the songs in the car when I’m bored lol

[@katecastreviews4639]

"Who could "bee" Miss Honey?!" This is what we subbed for run crew. Even when it's a difficult journey, it's always nice to see when someone wants to adapt a beloved property, loves it dearly and wants to be respectful towards it, but is also ready to make changes to enhance the experience in a new medium. Taking time to understand the magic of the story, while reinventing it. Which seems to have been the goal for this group. Even though I'm not that familiar with any incarnation of Matilda, I can very much respect that. Especially when done well. Also I feel like the video editing went up another notch here. Don't get me wrong it was always great, but this one has a lot more, emotional atmosphere to it at points. Particularly the moments of nostalgia where it looks like an old film reel. It's a very nice touch.

[@WaitintheWings]

I started playing around more haha that's probably why it took me so much longer to edit this time around

[@a.t.m873]

One of the best things about this is Mara Wilson herself gave her blessing of this show

[@matthewgee1030]

THERE WAS A LORD OF THE RINGS MUSICAL?! Please cover this!

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Matthew Gee yes. There’s a tumblr post going around talking about how interesting it could be if they made LoTR into, well not a musical, but an opera and use Tolkien’s songs.

[@broadway2340]

You didn’t know ?? It’s been around for a long time but yes the soundtrack is around here In KZbin

[@SarcasticLynx]

God i remember watching the matilda movie when i was young and falling absolutely in love with it. When I went on a new york trip with my theatre class as a sophomore, i got to see the musical and cried. It was everything to me, it still very much is. Now I'm nearly 25 which is still young but it hasn't ever left my memories. Im still in awe of it now as I was then and im sure i always will be.

[@rockrboy]

I was so lucky to have played a role in a local production of this show. It's a beautiful, emotionally satisfying musical, and deserves all the praise it receives.

[@LilyGrace1990]

Matilda was my favorite book when I was a kid. I went to see the Broadway show for my 23rd birthday and was blown away. I've seen it twice since then, once for the tour and once for a local production. I'm thrilled that a new generation of kids are getting to know her and I can tell from the lyrics and the music and just about everything about it that the love everyone involved had for the book was strong enough to keep it rooted to what the book meant to me and countless other kids. It subverts so many tropes typical of children's books and the show chose to lean farther into those subversions. I always tear up at Quiet and the end of the show because Matilda is a character who has meant so much more to me than any other fictional character. She was my hero, my role model, through a rough childhood. She gave me hope that things could get better and the confidence in myself even while others didn't accept me. The show perfectly encapsulates what makes Matilda and her story so special and it's leagues better than the movie (which is also good, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't honor the source material as faithfully). I think Roald Dahl would have loved the show. I'm sad he never got to see it.

[@bowlerhatfilmsandreviews2778]

Love you're videos man, they've helped give me a greater understanding and appreciation of theatre, something I've been attached to as a kid so it's great seeing channels like this celebrate it!

[@WaitintheWings]

Bowler Hat Films and Reviews Hey! Thank you! :) I’m happy you’ve been liking them

[@anhw3303]

It was brave to select Matthew Warchus for a musical. I saw his LOTR musical and broadway revival for Follies. I would have banned him from ever touching another musical again based on those two alone. That was a major leap of faith. His pick of Tim Minchin was an absolutely inspired one for composer. I guess third time’s the charm. Lol

[@jasonellis4330]

Thank you for choosing the Pope Song to make your point about Tim not being family friendly. Gave me a good giggle remembering how I got in trouble at scouts for teaching it to people

[@lottiex2243a]

As an Australian who grew up with Tim Minchin being a household name (at least with my friends and family), it was insane hearing that he would have anything to do with the musical Matilda but I truly don’t think they could’ve gotten someone better!

[@groofay]

Watching this video was more emotional than I expected. Matilda, the film and then the novel, were highlights of my childhood, and I had never heard of the musical. So to hear that not only was it this successful, but wholesomely so, in this industry, was beautiful to me. So thank you for introducing me to it like this.

[@connorhill1247]

The thing about Matilda is that although it’s a so called ‘Kids/Family musical’ - which it absolutely is don’t get me wrong, the child actors carrying a 2 1/2 hour show is phenomenal - the themes developed are so incredibly deep that it calls to adults as well. This family musical not only is great fun for children, but also deep themed enough for adults to really enjoy.

[@ayindestevens6152]

I love how this channel is getting better and better!

[@WaitintheWings]

Ayinde Stevens I’m happy you think so!!

[@ayindestevens6152]

Wait in the Wings I truly do! I appreciate the journey you’re on and I look forward to the next story! Also as a personal note both Matilda and Bettlejuice are the two shows I deeply regret NOT seeing before they closed. I actually remember the hype around Matilda’s arrival to the US as I was returning from a trip to the UK in 2012. Of course I was in that college-to-work transition and I often didn’t have money or time to go see it. Perhaps with the word that The West End production is still on there’s hope I’ll finally see it.

[@casuallykye5985]

PLEASE cover the lighting thief musical, it's actually amazing!!

[@savannahgrace111]

The orchestration is probably my favorite part about MTM. It’s absolutely STUNNING!

[@pppfan103]

I was wondering why you were so hesitant to mention the name of that RSC flop from 1988. After doing some digging, I found out what it was, and with that, I found the whole clip of what you showed at the end there. I see you, Wait in the Wings. I see what you're planning. ;)

[@lyndonjames8607]

Help. Me! It’s driving me nuts! What’s the mid-eighties RSC flop they’re referring to and excerpting?

[@moonshinecanvasproductions_]

@@lyndonjames8607 Carrie the Musical

[@merlesstorys]

Such a good video - I’m amazed by the history of this musical. As another request for "What went right", I would like a video on "Six", although it hasn’t officially opened on Broadway yet :)

[@brynnjohnson2316]

I'm performing in a production of Matilda this year and it's really amazing to see all the work that went into creating it. I think it's given me a much bigger appreciation for the material, and a better idea of how the show was meant to be. I also hold a really soft spot for When I Grow Up, since it'll be my last show as a senior in high school.

[@hayleyrobetoy147]

I'm glad to see shows from existing IPs being successful and making it their own.

[@phoenixflare2380]

I was lucky enough to see Matilda in its very first run, at the RSC! It's a musical I've come back to a lot, over the years, bc the soundtrack is just so fun and heartfelt. It's always a source of nostalgia for me, I had no idea back then that it would still be going strong today and that I'd still love it

[@ArachneGacha]

I love Tim Minchin! Honestly he doesn’t get enough credit, he’s a lyrical genius! If you haven’t heard any of his songs I suggest you listen to them, they’re awesome!

[@yuumain264]

I hear him mention the doubt if he could make you cry- When I Grow Up jumped in my mind instantly, as it probably made me cry the hardest when seeing that show.

[@FirstnameLastname-vf9rp]

yh it’s so clever in that although it is ostensibly a happy song, when you really listen to the words it is a very sad commentary on society

[@niamhwelsh]

Phillip Schofield at the beginning, iconic

[@connerrock1164]

Ok did anyone else’s jaw drop when they saw Tom holland as/in billy Elliot

[@GuineaPig361]

"Aww, baby Spider-Man!"

[@NobodyC13]

That's part of the reason he is Spider-Man: because his background in dance and ballet gave him greater command in contorting his body for the stunts.

[@GuineaPig361]

@@NobodyC13 Cool!

[@FirstnameLastname-vf9rp]

as a devoted Tim Minchin fan 15:46 was f***ing hilarious

[@wakawakatakeover]

I actually really, REALLY like Tim Minchin! Probably in my top 10 favorite musicians! How the hell did it take me THIS long to find out that he actually MADE this and the Groundhogs Day musical!? For shame, really. Also as I was watching this, the section where they're at Minchin's concert thinking, "He's perfect, but he can't make the audience cry. Too bad. So close." I was just thinking, "Ah! They haven't heard White Wine in the Sun yet! That's the encore piece. That'll convince them." And guess who was right! :p

[@georgecooper9766]

Haha I was also like 'but what about white wine in the sun?'

[@mclainboyd5514]

I was actually in a local production of Matilda last year! The insanity was immense but the fun was too!

[@b3nfriend]

Just popping in here to say that I love the way your videos focus in on the creative process and the personal touch everyone brings to a production. Thanks for what you do, stories like this are fuel for me.

[@rinneil]

The shirts look dope and the ad was great, but what I'm really waiting for is "starlight is a blood sport" on t-shirts Anyway great work as always

[@WaitintheWings]

rinneilcakes lol I love this 😂

[@anyapotato7389]

For my 10th birthday, my mum took me to see Matilda on the west end in 2014, my first musical. I still remember being mesmerised by everything, from the set to the songs and the show is definitely responsible for my love of musical theatre today and I still love it a lot.

[@TheVioletOwl94]

One of my friends was going to be in a production of Matilda in his local theatre. He was gonna play truchbull. The production got postponed because of covid.

[@PandoraDanger]

*pauses video to quickily look up the Lord of the Rings Mussical cause holy shit how did I not know about this*

[@WaitintheWings]

Pandora Danger Lol I kept having people comment it and I didn’t believe them 😂

[@moorecruise1880]

Wait in the Wings I’d love to see you guys do a video on Lord of the Rings, it’s almost like the West End’s equivalent to Turn Off the Dark

[@PandoraDanger]

@@moorecruise1880 I second the above. Looked at a few snippets of it here on KZbin it looks like it was staged beautifully. Like with all the interest from the film trilogy how did it not do better?

[@Firegen1]

Bless American audiences. This story is famous in London. They put the costumes on display for a short run exhibit on UK theatre. It was like a year or so after it had flopped. Everyone kept going "oh yeah! That show!"

[@PandoraDanger]

@@Firegen1 We do have a terrible tendency to think our entertainment industry is the center of all entertainment industries. You got me there.

[@snowcat8971]

I saw it on the US Tour a few years ago, not really knowing anything about the story. I was amazed at how dark it is for a story with so many children, but it was so wonderful and emotional as well. "When I grow up" still brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. I learned a lot from this video.

[@MattChance]

The most important component of Matilda is the children. Watching children perform and sing about dreams of growing up is all the more powerful when you consider most “grown-ups” couldn’t do what these child actors just did. It hits so hard when the kids join the teens onstage and you git a glimpse at their futures.

[@moldyboy354]

Was very lucky to see the finnish version on opening night a couple weeks ago with the lead being a tiny little 9-year-old who was probably a head shorter than her classmates, and she casually carried the whole thing like it was nothing 😭 the whole kid cast got private schooling for 1,5 years along with singing, acting n dancing lessons. they were so fun to watch and im very happy for them

[@rachellochness]

I remember going to see Matilda when it was playing at Stratford. Me and my friends had managed to get cheap tickets and frankly didn’t expect much. Absolutely blew me away!!

[@ewantennant5847]

I saw this show when I was nine after my dad had surprised me with tickets while stood outside the theatre. I’d wanted to see the show for a while and it was the first west end show I’d seen. For so many British teenage theatre fans, this is the reason we love theatre

[@belmont548]

never thought I'd see spongebob and Andrew Jackson next to each other on a t-shirt

[@badwolfmoriarty7252]

Matildas "best friend" is Lavender. Not Hortensia

[@innitzs]

Thankyou for creating such interesting and captivating videos! you deserve so much more attention for the evident hard work that is put into your content. I have a great interest in theatre and hope to work in the field in the future, your incredibly educational videos have presented such valuble insight into the works discussed. Again, thankyou so much!!

[@alicetucker8863]

I never realised how much Tim Minchin looks like a mix of Shane Dawson and Russel Brand.

[@WaitintheWings]

Embrace your inner theater kid with the official Wait in the Wings T-shirt! *Random t-shirt mugging not guaranteed*: teespring.com/stores/wait-in-the-wings-drama-shop

[@JehRehMyUh]

Could you PLEASE do a “what went wrong” on the lotr musical? It had a fantastic score but a lack luster book, and it deserves attention. I personally think it needs to be revised and revived. It has SO MUCH potential!

[@MC-uf5mz]

Matilda the Musical has been a favorite of mine ever since I watched it in 2010. I was 6 at the time and loved the show. I recently watched it again a couple days ago and I burst into tears watching it. A beautiful musical about childhood trauma and overcoming it. Spreading the word and letting people know they have the power to change their story, that they don’t have to be stuck in their situation. It hits home for me.

[@SuperZeldaGirl]

I really want to see you cover the Charley and the Chocolate Factory musical now some day!

[@shannendumadag5783]

This series (and your general channel) has been an absolute joy while being stuck in quarantine! Thank you for all the hours of hard work that goes into making such in-depth reviews. It's always really interesting to see what happens behind the scenes; it completely changes the way I watch musicals and I find myself even more appreciative to the hard work of the people on board. I was a self-proclaimed musical junkie in high school but wasn't able to really carry that hobby/interest over into college. Watching your videos has re-awakened that excitement and love!

[@KevimationYT]

Great video as always! Keep up the great work! Being able to tell the story behind so many shows is something really beautiful.

[@WaitintheWings]

Kevimation I agree. It really adds a different level of appreciation to them!

[@moorecruise1880]

I’m calling it now, the failed RSC musical is ‘Carrie’

[@lilyaguilera946]

You’re so amazing!! I love your musical videos, they’re so in depth with information and fascinating!! Thank you for doing these videos!!

[@JulianaSpetlana]

I saw Matilda by myself during previews in London when I was 18. Knew nothing about it other than I loved the book, the movie, and Tim Minchin. Was a fantastic experience, so strange to think that was 10 years ago now.

[@briandaaranda9735]

Matilda is partially the reason why I turned to books so much as a child. I love the Mara Wilson version and will watch it every now and then. I cried the first time I heard "Quiet" and "When I Grow Up"; I still do, when the lyrics resonate particularly strongly with me.

[@forrestfire101]

Great video!

[@shaemalone2516]

Amazing writing and editing for this episode as always!

[@WaitintheWings]

You're so nice! Thank you :)

[@ALittleBitShabby]

I'm loving learning more about my favourite musicals during this pandemic - thank you!

[@nevvylobos9720]

All versions of Miss Trunchbull scare me to this day. From the books, to the movie, and the musical.

[@scar6862]

Excellent work. Fantastic depth but also a genuine passion for the material. Congratulations, I hate I can only 👍🏻 once.

[@theseamonstersknit]

Now that you've mentioned it, I need to know more about that Lord of the Rings musical :)

[@starberrycupcake]

This one made me tear up a little bit ngl. I've grown up with the book and the movie and now that I teach a workshop about children's lit and include Matilda in it, the musical has helped me demonstrate easily how her character works, especially showing my students a fragment of "Naughty", they really captured her essence and why she is such a revolutionary character for children's literature of that time. It makes a lot of sense now, hearing how they made the musical and seeing how they used the book as a source but not a gospel, they really did an amazing job capturing what Dahl is about. Amazing video, it's great to see a channel like this develop so much because there aren't a lot of channels in here delving into musical theater history in this depth and with this level of work, you're doing an incredible job! As a side note, if you ever wanted to make something about the whole issue of Rebecca Das Musical on Broadway and what in the world happened there, I'd love to see it, I'm from South America and sometimes the intricacies of Broadway stuff escape me, and the Rebecca musical is pretty great, but the things I heard about the attempts to take it to Broadway have been so SO wacky.

[@missraredoesstuff]

DUDE I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS. They light such a fire in me when I watch them, it’s so exciting!

[@MagnitudeReviews]

Keep up the great work dude. I admire your extreme amount if research and detail you put into your videos. You deserve more subscribers than what you currently have.

[@InfinitePlaylist909]

Great video! The overture wasn't added until August 2012, when the creative team revisited the production post-losing the Tony and Americanized a lot of the script, as well as adding a show curtain that prompted the need for an overture ;)

[@WaitintheWings]

Oh wow! Thank you for this! :D

[@InfinitePlaylist909]

Wait in the Wings np! Huge fan of your channel! I managed to see 18 of the 19 Broadway Matildas so I am oddly familiar with the show. Thanks for a great vid 💙

[@oogie_boogie101]

This will always hold a special place in my heart. This was the first show I ever got paid for, and it's an amazing musical, I love it so much

[@maxleunig4072]

Here's a cool story: My Dad and I were invited to the Australian premiere of Matilda in Sydney back in 2015. During intermission, I called my mother to say "we haven't seen Tim Minchin yet, but maybe at the afterparty" and as I say that, Tim is walking 15ft away from us. So I promptly hung up and we went through this large crowd of people surrounding him, and when we did he was incredibly nice and asked if we were enjoying the show (we most certainly were!). When I asked if he could record a quick video message of him saying hi for my mum and sister, he responded, "that would be breaking a time honoured code..... but I'd be happy to do it!". So he did, and it's one of my best times at a theatre to this day!

[@WaitintheWings]

That’s incredible 😂

[@maxleunig4072]

@@WaitintheWings Thanks!

[@silleboosindberg3437]

Just found your page and I absolutely am blown away at your production value (very professional and entertaining quality) and your videos Are just fantastic! Both éducational and entertaining, especially for a musical geek like me. You go in depth on so many musicals i either heard off but didn't know much about or knew nothing at all about! (or on ones I love, like this one, which just makes me happy on so many levels) speaking of, this video is defently my favourite! Having recently been to London and was so fortunate to see Matilda, I can easily say this show is now one of my ABSOLUTE favourite of musicals! A touching, fun, heartwarming show with such an amazing set piece and music score. And now being obsessed with it, your video just helps a lot ! 😅 So thank you for creating this video, can't wait to watch more (I'm binging the others as well haha!)

[@meghanbinnie8535]

This is a brilliant documentary. I cried multiple times and I haven't even seen the musical. I am however a big fan of the book and film and Matilda holds a special place in my heart. I loved hearing about the triumph of creativity and found it really inspiring. Thanks for all the work you put into making this. You're truly talented.

[@KevimationYT]

I look forward to watching this episode! It is an interesting show with an interesting book as it’s base. Keep making amazing content!

[@MsJaytee1975]

Wait, they cast three rotating Matilda’s *partly* due to UK Labour Laws? No, it’s completely due to UK Labour laws, I don’t care what the director said. All musicals with major child roles have three rotating actors, his views are neither here nor there. The wait it’s mentioned in the video makes it seem unusual, please tell me American children do not do eight shows a week.

[@ConnorN22]

I am so exited for this video!

[@litlblkhouse]

I love how you made the making of this show seem convenient and understandable. It seems like a lot of effort went into it and those people knew what they were working with. Also, Matilda was a memorable part of my childhood, regardless of its medium.

[@GennaG]

i love your videos so much!!!

[@WaitintheWings]

Hey! I love YOU so much for being here!! Thank you :D

[@unicornclutter]

Ive always loved Matilda and had weird timing with this story, I taught myself to read when I was 4 and the first book I read cover to cover was Matilda, and then when I was around 10 Matilda the musical came out, there was def something kind of magical about being the same age as the character both times and while I would never pretend to be a genious, being a hyperlexic autistic kid made this story very special to me. I love how they focoused less on 'making a musical' and more on making each aspect really good and then bringing them together, it helped all the elements support one another in the end as nothing was being left behind or forgotten

[@haydenwilder2221]

Great video. One of my all time favorite shows. The story means so much to me and they did it beautifully. (Also I admittedly smiled at the Depeche Mode reference)

[@haydenwilder2221]

Also does this mean "Carrie" is next? 👀

[@addi9817]

Does anyone know if they recorded some drafts of the songs that didn’t make the show or the songs firsts drafts? I would love to watch them if anyone knows if they exist and if I’m able to watch them.

[@Zeedijk2020]

Oh my God, I just found this channel and it is everything I need in my life!

[@WaitintheWings]

Welcome Michiel! I'm happy you're here :)

[@alfiedavies9703]

i went to see this on the west end on a school trip, and it really ignited my love for musical theatre... this musical will always hold a special place in my heart

[@caos4433]

this was incredible thanks for this!