Adult casting guidelines
MATILDA THE MUSICAL – ADULT CASTING GUIDELINES - CHARACTER NOTES
MISS TRUNCHBULL (Male)
Headmistress of Crunchem Hall Primary School. Miss Honey's aunt. Once a famous athlete, she is described as a "gigantic Holy terror", a "fierce tyrannical monster" who "marches like a storm trooper with long arms swinging" with an "aura of menace".
Age 30 to40ish.
Physicality 6’ plus. A physical character actor - must be physically fit andagile.
Vocal High baritone with a strong F sharp. Extremely good enunciation and vocal dexterity.
Dialect HeightenedRP.
Dance Ribbon Dance andVaulting
NOTE; There are physical demands of this role–physical fitness is crucial.
MISS HONEY (Female)
A mild, quiet person who never raises her voice and seldom seems to smile - yet possesses the rare gift of being adored by every small child under her care. She should have a curious warmth that is almost tangible.
Age 25 to 35 yearsold.
Physicality "slim and fragile that if she fell over she would smash into a thousand pieces like a porcelainfigure".
Vocal Soprano up to Bb, with a strong and solid belt up toD.
Lyrical pure sounding voice. Could even have a slightly folksy quality.
Dialect RPDance Loud and Miracle
NOTE; This role also features as a parent during the openingnumber.
MR WORMWOOD (Male)
A dealer in second-hand cars - "a mean crooked crook" - with a penchant for wearing jackets with large, brightly coloured checks. Should ideally be a clown and could have an ex-punkish rocker voice.
Age 35 to early40s.
Physicality A weasley or ratty essence. Needs to beagile.
Vocal Top A (negotiable!) To f# Dialect Essex/Estuary/EastLondon Dance Notrequired
MRS WORMWOOD (Female)
Mother of Michael and Matilda, and the wife of Mr Wormwood. She is obsessed with her amateur Ballroom dancing partner and her looks. Like her husband she thinks very little of Matilda’s unique abilities and often berates her. She is as loud in her makeup and dress sense as she is in her voice – must have strong comedy.
Age 30s.
Physicality Above 5’ 8”preferred
Vocal Really strong belt voice, with matching vocal stamina. Up to top F/G – with higher adlibs.
Dialect Essex / Estuary / EastLondon
Dance Strong understanding of movement
MRS PHELPS (Female)
Warm and nurturing local librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading. She has an inner peace.
Age 30s to50s
Physicality Generally played by a woman of non-caucasionheritage.
Vocal Accomplishedsinger
Dialect Possibly African or Caribbean or non-Caucasian
Dance Basic movement skills. Appears as a parent inMiracle.
MALE ENSEMBLE / RUDOLPHO (Male)
Mrs Wormwood’s dance partner. Should be genuinely fit and athletic. Should have a flare for character comedy, and have great vocal and dance stamina for the number ‘Loud’.
Age 20s, early30s
Physicality Strong andfit.
Vocal High baritone with consistent Fs with passing topA
Dialect Any UKregion
Dance Very strong dancer. Latin ballroom is anadvantage.
NOTE: This track is an ensemble/role track during the show and may have other principal, or non-principal,covers.
MALE ENSEMBLE / SERGEI
Russian Mafia Boss who is physically intimidating, with an accomplished Russian accent.
Age 30s
Physicality Over6ft,broad,masculine,intimidatingwithstrongfacialfeatures.
Vocal RichBaritone.
Dialect Russian and Northern or Birmingham orEstuary.
Dance Auditioned as a movementtrack.
Track This track is an ensemble/minor roles track during the show and may have principal, or non-principal covers.
MALE ENSEMBLE / DOCTOR
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Over 5’10”
Vocal High tenor with a comfortable top A. Rockquality.
Dance Strong dance track.Salsa.
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have principal, or non-principalcovers.
MALE ENSEMBLE / ESCAPOLOGIST
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Over 5’10”
Vocal High lyricbaritone.
Dialect 1940’sRP
Dance Movementtrack.
NOTE: This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
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MALE ENSEMBLE / MECHANIC
Age 20s
Physicality Up to 5’8”
Dance Very strongmover
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
MALE ENSEMBLE
Age 20’s,30’s
Physicality Above5’10”
Dance Strong dance track.Salsa
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have principal, or non-principalcovers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE / ACROBAT
A strong all round ensemble performer with covers.
Age 20s, 30s Physicality Above 5’4” Vocal Check forcovers
Dialect African, Caribbean or non-Caucasian may be required forcover.
Dance Strong dancetrack
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE
A strong all round ensemble performer with covers.
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Above5’4”
Dialect African, Caribbean, or non-Caucasian, may be required forcover.
Dance Strong dancetrack
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE
A strong all round ensemble performer with covers.
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Generally played by a woman of non-Caucasian heritage. Dialect African, Caribbean, or non-Caucasian, may be required for cover Dance Good movementtrack
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have principal, or non-principalcovers.
SWINGS
MaleSwing1 Ensemble swing with possible principal, or non-principalcovers.
5’8” to 5’9”
MaleSwing2 Ensemble swing with possible principal, or non-principalcovers.
5’9” to 6’
Female Swing 1 Adult Ensemble and child swing with possible principal, or non-principal covers. Up to5’5”.
Female Swing 2 Adult Ensemble and possible child swing with possible principal, or non- principal covers.
AdultChildSwing Slight build, looks like a child. Child swing and possible adultswing.
Up to 5’ 1”.
NOTE: Please note two Dance Captain positions will be appointed. One is proposed to be the Adult Child Swing and the other to be appointed from the Swing team.
MISS TRUNCHBULL (Male)
Headmistress of Crunchem Hall Primary School. Miss Honey's aunt. Once a famous athlete, she is described as a "gigantic Holy terror", a "fierce tyrannical monster" who "marches like a storm trooper with long arms swinging" with an "aura of menace".
Age 30 to40ish.
Physicality 6’ plus. A physical character actor - must be physically fit andagile.
Vocal High baritone with a strong F sharp. Extremely good enunciation and vocal dexterity.
Dialect HeightenedRP.
Dance Ribbon Dance andVaulting
NOTE; There are physical demands of this role–physical fitness is crucial.
MISS HONEY (Female)
A mild, quiet person who never raises her voice and seldom seems to smile - yet possesses the rare gift of being adored by every small child under her care. She should have a curious warmth that is almost tangible.
Age 25 to 35 yearsold.
Physicality "slim and fragile that if she fell over she would smash into a thousand pieces like a porcelainfigure".
Vocal Soprano up to Bb, with a strong and solid belt up toD.
Lyrical pure sounding voice. Could even have a slightly folksy quality.
Dialect RPDance Loud and Miracle
NOTE; This role also features as a parent during the openingnumber.
MR WORMWOOD (Male)
A dealer in second-hand cars - "a mean crooked crook" - with a penchant for wearing jackets with large, brightly coloured checks. Should ideally be a clown and could have an ex-punkish rocker voice.
Age 35 to early40s.
Physicality A weasley or ratty essence. Needs to beagile.
Vocal Top A (negotiable!) To f# Dialect Essex/Estuary/EastLondon Dance Notrequired
MRS WORMWOOD (Female)
Mother of Michael and Matilda, and the wife of Mr Wormwood. She is obsessed with her amateur Ballroom dancing partner and her looks. Like her husband she thinks very little of Matilda’s unique abilities and often berates her. She is as loud in her makeup and dress sense as she is in her voice – must have strong comedy.
Age 30s.
Physicality Above 5’ 8”preferred
Vocal Really strong belt voice, with matching vocal stamina. Up to top F/G – with higher adlibs.
Dialect Essex / Estuary / EastLondon
Dance Strong understanding of movement
MRS PHELPS (Female)
Warm and nurturing local librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of reading. She has an inner peace.
Age 30s to50s
Physicality Generally played by a woman of non-caucasionheritage.
Vocal Accomplishedsinger
Dialect Possibly African or Caribbean or non-Caucasian
Dance Basic movement skills. Appears as a parent inMiracle.
MALE ENSEMBLE / RUDOLPHO (Male)
Mrs Wormwood’s dance partner. Should be genuinely fit and athletic. Should have a flare for character comedy, and have great vocal and dance stamina for the number ‘Loud’.
Age 20s, early30s
Physicality Strong andfit.
Vocal High baritone with consistent Fs with passing topA
Dialect Any UKregion
Dance Very strong dancer. Latin ballroom is anadvantage.
NOTE: This track is an ensemble/role track during the show and may have other principal, or non-principal,covers.
MALE ENSEMBLE / SERGEI
Russian Mafia Boss who is physically intimidating, with an accomplished Russian accent.
Age 30s
Physicality Over6ft,broad,masculine,intimidatingwithstrongfacialfeatures.
Vocal RichBaritone.
Dialect Russian and Northern or Birmingham orEstuary.
Dance Auditioned as a movementtrack.
Track This track is an ensemble/minor roles track during the show and may have principal, or non-principal covers.
MALE ENSEMBLE / DOCTOR
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Over 5’10”
Vocal High tenor with a comfortable top A. Rockquality.
Dance Strong dance track.Salsa.
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have principal, or non-principalcovers.
MALE ENSEMBLE / ESCAPOLOGIST
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Over 5’10”
Vocal High lyricbaritone.
Dialect 1940’sRP
Dance Movementtrack.
NOTE: This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
MALE ENSEMBLE / MECHANIC
Age 20s
Physicality Up to 5’8”
Dance Very strongmover
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
MALE ENSEMBLE
Age 20’s,30’s
Physicality Above5’10”
Dance Strong dance track.Salsa
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have principal, or non-principalcovers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE / ACROBAT
A strong all round ensemble performer with covers.
Age 20s, 30s Physicality Above 5’4” Vocal Check forcovers
Dialect African, Caribbean or non-Caucasian may be required forcover.
Dance Strong dancetrack
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE
A strong all round ensemble performer with covers.
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Above5’4”
Dialect African, Caribbean, or non-Caucasian, may be required forcover.
Dance Strong dancetrack
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and mayhave principal, or non-principalcovers.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE
A strong all round ensemble performer with covers.
Age 20s,30s
Physicality Generally played by a woman of non-Caucasian heritage. Dialect African, Caribbean, or non-Caucasian, may be required for cover Dance Good movementtrack
NOTE; This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have principal, or non-principalcovers.
SWINGS
MaleSwing1 Ensemble swing with possible principal, or non-principalcovers.
5’8” to 5’9”
MaleSwing2 Ensemble swing with possible principal, or non-principalcovers.
5’9” to 6’
Female Swing 1 Adult Ensemble and child swing with possible principal, or non-principal covers. Up to5’5”.
Female Swing 2 Adult Ensemble and possible child swing with possible principal, or non- principal covers.
AdultChildSwing Slight build, looks like a child. Child swing and possible adultswing.
Up to 5’ 1”.
NOTE: Please note two Dance Captain positions will be appointed. One is proposed to be the Adult Child Swing and the other to be appointed from the Swing team.
child casting guidelines
MICHAEL WORMWOOD/ MALE ENSEMBLE (Male) Must be able to fully participate in all ensemble vocal and dance numbers and also to play the Wormwood’s monosyllabic son. Needs good deadpan comedy and the ability to find a character during a lot of stage time with few words.
Age 10 to 15
Physicality 5’2” to 5’7”. Teenagelooking
Vocal Accomplished singer.
Dialect Essex / Estuary / EastLondon
Dance Physically fit and strong mover.
NOTE; This role has few spoken words. This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have other principal, or non-principal, covers. Michael WormwoodMatilda's older brother. He is not very bright and favored by their parents.
MATILDA An imaginative girl who is clever and wise far beyond her years. She has a thirst for learning that cannot be quenched.
Age Looks 6 to 10
Height Up to 4' 3". Short as possible.
Essential Enigmatic, serious, intense. Instinctive acting ability. Vocal health and clarity. Cartwheel.
AMANDA
Age
Height 4' 3" –4' 5"
Essential Slight framed. Strong dance and vocalability.
LAVENDER
Age 7 to 10
Height 4' 3" –4' 5"
Essential Good dance. Strong singing and acting. Loud and kooky - likes to have fun - bigpersonality.
ALICE
Age
Height 4' 6"-4' 8"
Essential Strong and Bold. Strong dance and vocalability.
HORTENSIA
Age
Height 4' 6"– 4' 8"
Essential Feisty. Strong dance and vocalability.
ERIC
Age
Height Up to 4' 3". Small as possible. Essential Cute. Small. Ability to learn. Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged toaudition
BRUCE Matilda's classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull.
Age 7 to 14
Height 4' 6" – 4' 8"
Essential Vocal ability for “Revolting Children”. Acting ability.Comic.Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged to audition.
As part of the action on stage this role is required to eat chocolate cake, cream & icing. Must not be allergic to latex (material of the prop cake) or cake/icing ingredients
NIGEL
Age
Height 4' 6" – 4' 8"
Essential Vocal stamina for spoken dialogue. Strong dance ability. Strong vocalability.Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged to audition
TOMMY
Age
Height 4' 8" – 5"
Essential Strong dance and vocal ability. Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged toauditionBruce Matilda's classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull.
Age 10 to 15
Physicality 5’2” to 5’7”. Teenagelooking
Vocal Accomplished singer.
Dialect Essex / Estuary / EastLondon
Dance Physically fit and strong mover.
NOTE; This role has few spoken words. This track is an ensemble/minor role track during the show and may have other principal, or non-principal, covers. Michael WormwoodMatilda's older brother. He is not very bright and favored by their parents.
MATILDA An imaginative girl who is clever and wise far beyond her years. She has a thirst for learning that cannot be quenched.
Age Looks 6 to 10
Height Up to 4' 3". Short as possible.
Essential Enigmatic, serious, intense. Instinctive acting ability. Vocal health and clarity. Cartwheel.
AMANDA
Age
Height 4' 3" –4' 5"
Essential Slight framed. Strong dance and vocalability.
LAVENDER
Age 7 to 10
Height 4' 3" –4' 5"
Essential Good dance. Strong singing and acting. Loud and kooky - likes to have fun - bigpersonality.
ALICE
Age
Height 4' 6"-4' 8"
Essential Strong and Bold. Strong dance and vocalability.
HORTENSIA
Age
Height 4' 6"– 4' 8"
Essential Feisty. Strong dance and vocalability.
ERIC
Age
Height Up to 4' 3". Small as possible. Essential Cute. Small. Ability to learn. Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged toaudition
BRUCE Matilda's classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull.
Age 7 to 14
Height 4' 6" – 4' 8"
Essential Vocal ability for “Revolting Children”. Acting ability.Comic.Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged to audition.
As part of the action on stage this role is required to eat chocolate cake, cream & icing. Must not be allergic to latex (material of the prop cake) or cake/icing ingredients
NIGEL
Age
Height 4' 6" – 4' 8"
Essential Vocal stamina for spoken dialogue. Strong dance ability. Strong vocalability.Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged to audition
TOMMY
Age
Height 4' 8" – 5"
Essential Strong dance and vocal ability. Boys with limited dance training, but demonstrating strong potential are still encouraged toauditionBruce Matilda's classmate. He is subject to extreme punishment by Miss Trunchbull.