The enormously popular High School Project at London’s Grand Theatre is back, and their current production of “Matilda – The Musical” has sold out audiences on their feet at the shenanigans of a very special girl and her schoolmates as they attempt to change their lives and rid themselves of the contemptible adults who make their lives miserable. The energy and enthusiasm of the large and talented cast of young people on stage, with several more in production roles backstage, is infectious and proves this excellent youth program needs to continue…forever!

So, what’s this High School Project all about?

Now in its 26th year, The Grand Theatre High School Project has been offering high school students from the London area an amazing opportunity to receive education and training in a professional theatre working environment at NO COST to them or their families. Students are accepted to the program through auditions and interviews and are mentored by professional adult artists and coaches in all departments – performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, sound, lighting, marketing and more, culminating in a production (usually a musical) staged on the Grand’s beautiful and historic Spriet stage.

This extraordinary initiative fosters leadership and creativity, cooperation, collaboration and communication skills that not only serve these students on and off the stage but in their daily lives. Many participants may wish to pursue the arts in a post-secondary program. Indeed, several alumni have gone on to find arts-related work both onstage and off at Stratford, Shaw Festival and other notable companies. Others enjoy meeting new people and learning new skills.

Where was this program when I was in high school?? Whatever their interest, this is a project they all buy into, and the results have been exemplary!

The current production of Matilda is fun and full of energy, and it's a very apt choice. It’s a tale of empowered kids and their abilities, their imaginations, and the power of creativity to change their world. Given these are some of the underpinnings of the High School Project itself, how appropriate that art imitates life?

Based on British author Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, “Matilda” gives us a young female protagonist with remarkable powers despite an abusive upbringing. Matilda learns to harness and use her powers to give her agency to change her life through storytelling and a fierce imagination. She also has an enormous impact on others and instigates a school-wide revolt, demonstrating that small acts of disobedience can also change their story as well. The entire cast – leading actors and ensemble alike – are thoroughly invested in their roles. Their performances make it plain to see they want to be up on that stage.

Despite a few mic problems, their wonderful vocal work does full justice to the toe-tapping tunes of composer-lyricist Tim Minchin. The orchestra, featuring several student musicians, was melodic and virtually note-perfect, though a bit more volume from the pit would have added more to the fun. The costume department delivered an eye-popping design. Wild and vivid pastel colours, patterns and designs on the adult characters contrast starkly with the appropriately muted private school uniforms for the kids. Lighting design mirrored the pastel scheme of the costumes with plenty of colour and good use of spotlights in musical numbers for added punctuation. Sadly a few too many dark areas put faces in shadow and masked some key actions.

Energetic and clever choreography in the opening number, “Miracle Parts I-III” thoroughly engaged the audience with its excellent and dynamic storytelling. Hard-hitting numbers like “Revolting Children” were also a standout.

It was hugely evident how much fun this entire company had in performing this show. With 35-40 students onstage and 20 students behind the scenes at each performance, one can also appreciate the herculean efforts it takes to mount a show of this size and complexity. Whether students choose to pursue a career in the arts or not, the High School Project gives young people and professional artists the opportunity to learn and work with and from each other. Past participants proclaim it to be life-changing and that the memories created and shared collectively are irreplaceable.

This show is bold, brave and boisterous! You’d be naughty not to get tickets!

The Grand Theatre High School Project presents Roald Dahl’s “Matilda – The Musical”
Running time: Approx. 2 hours, 40 minutes with one intermission

The production runs until September 28 at the Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St. London, Ontario.
For more information, please visit www.grandtheatre.com.