Matilda wins Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards

The quest for a great new musical is over, at least for now: London (and before long, presumably, the world) has just that in Matilda, the Royal Shakespeare Company's deliriously funny and moving adaptation of Roald Dahl that has arrived on the West End following cheers and not a few tears on the occasion of its premiere last December in Stratford-upon-Avon.That rare show pitched ostensibly at children that lucky adults in their midst will doubtless enjoy even more, Matilda comes down on the side of love and literacy as well as burp jokes, bad hair, and a bravura performance from Bertie Carvel, playing a battleaxe of a headmistress with a voice by way of Hannibal Lecter. (Carvel made the ES shortlist for best actor.) The altogether buoyant score is from Australian comedian Tim Minchin, marking his musical theatre debut amid a creative team (director Matthew Warchus included) that finds everyone involved at the top of their game. Small wonder the opening song is entitled "Miracle": it takes one to know one. http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/article-24011658-stars-in-our-eyes---why-our-judges-chose-the-theatre-awards-winners.do