Twelve Days of Christmas: Day #5

The Christmas season is traditionally a time when theatre turns its attention to the younger generation and this year is no exception. One children's show that has appealed to grown-ups as well as the youngsters is the Royal Shakespeare Company's musical version of Roald Dahl's much loved novel Matilda, currently running at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The production has received rave reviews and rumours abound about a West End transfer - rumours that I sincerely hope are true so that I can have the opportunity to see this show. Aside from a childhood love of Dahl's witty prose and delightfully grotesque characters, I am intrigued to hear the songs penned for the show by comedian Tim Minchin, an oddly fitting choice with a quirkiness to match the story itself.

My treat to readers today is an interview with director Matthew Warchus in the Guardian, speaking about the challenges posed by this production as well as discussing his past experiences, including the gargantuan project of transferring literary epic The Lord of the Rings to the stage. Warchus seems to like a challenge, as his next project, Ghost the Musical, may prove almost as difficult to bring to life visually on the stage as Tolkien's trilogy. This interview provides an interesting look at a diverse directing career and I find it hard not to admire a man who admits to growing up loving Brecht, Beckett and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.

Matilda runs at the Courtyard Theatre until 30 January 2011. For anyone wanting more reasons to see it, have a look at what the critics said in Whatsonstage.com's review round-up.