Character Descriptions

Matilda Wormwood

The hero of the show. She’s brilliant, resilient, creative, and kind, despite growing up in difficult circumstances. Her parents treat her poorly, but Matilda escapes into a world of books, which puts her reading level far above the other children in her class, and she develops a bit of magical power in an effort to defeat Trunchbull.

Eric

A student at school with Matilda. He has the very first solo line of the entire show, so make sure to cast a good singer in this role. He also has some featured moments as one of Matilda’s schoolmates, so it’s helpful if Eric is also an expressive actor.

Amanda

A student at school with Matilda. She has a few solos and lines, but her most featured moment is when Trunchbull throws her through the air using her pigtails.

Bruce

One of Matilda’s schoolmates. He has the bad luck to get caught after eating Trunchbull’s cake. Bruce goes through quite a transformation throughout the show and has some important solos, so cast an excellent singer and actor.

Hortensia, Alice and Tommy

Alice, Hortensia, and Tommy are classmates of Matilda who each sing solos, and Hortensia has a few lines.

Lavender

One of the kids at school with Matilda. She is kind and bright (though not as brilliant as Matilda) and quickly decides that Matilda is her best friend. Cast an actress in this role who can portray Lavender’s likability and friendliness.

Nigel

One of the kids at school with Matilda. He is enthusiastic, sweet, and always in a bit of a panic. Nigel has a few solos and some great featured moments in the show, so cast a strong actor and singer in this great supporting role.

Mr. Wormwood

Matilda’s father. He is egotistical, rude, and not very bright, not to mention a liar. Though Mr. Wormwood is not a good person and he is mean to Matilda, his harebrained schemes can be hilariously funny, so cast a fantastic character actor in this role who can really land the comedy and isn’t afraid to play an unlikeable character.

Mrs. Wormwood

Matilda’s mother. Like her husband, she dislikes Matilda and does not understand why her daughter loves to read. Mrs. Wormwood is selfish, obsessed with her own appearance, and believes everything she sees on TV. Her dancing lessons with Rudolpho are the most important part of her day.

Michael

Matilda’s brother. He is not very bright, though he is the apple of his father’s eye. This is a hilarious supporting role for a younger actor with comedic timing, as Michael’s contributions to the scene usually function as deadpan one-liners.

Mrs. Phelps

The kindly librarian who loves hearing Matilda’s stories.

Escapologist

A character of Matilda’s creation. Everything this character does is grand and exaggerated – he’s performing for the cheap seats!

Acrobat

A product of Matilda’s imagination.

Miss Honey

A teacher at Matilda’s school. She is kind, is generous, and really cares about the children despite her own desperate circumstances.

Agatha Trunchbull

The quintessential terrifying tyrant. As headmistress, she runs her school like a dictator, making up arbitrary rules to suit her every whim and dreaming up creative punishments.

Rudolpho

Mrs. Wormwood’s self-obsessed dance teacher. This is a hilarious featured role for a comedic performer who moves well.

Sergei

A customer swindled by Mr. Wormwood. Though he shows up looking for payback, Matilda has had quite enough of revenge, and Sergei lets the Wormwoods escape. This is a great featured role for an actor who can embody Sergei’s intimidating presence.

Ensemble

Ensemble roles include Russians, Little Kids, Big Kids (including Big Kid 1, Big Kid 2, and Big Kid 3), Kids, Mums, Dads, the Cook, and the Mechanic.