Set Design | Scenic Painting | Projection Design
Book: DENNIS KELLY, Music and Lyrics: TIM MINCHIN
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish 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!
Production: Actor's Youth Theatre performed at ZAO Theatre
Director: Lucy Garner
Choreographer: Jesse Rodriguez
Music Directors: Elise Stoffer
Nominee - Arizoni 2020 - Best Set Design
Designing this set was a little daunting when you consider how phenomenal the original set of the Broadway version was. Drawing inspiration from the Robert Stuart Howell set, we spent hours cutting and painting countless letter tiles that framed the stage. I wanted to create an homage to books and reading and therefore integrated lots of books into the show. We had stacked book platforms, blocks painted like stacks of books, and closed flats that opened to reveal the Wormwood living room and Trunchbull's office.
The projections allowed us to extend the set visually and also incorporate the chalk writing effect toward the end of the show.