What surprises will 'Matilda' bring to Chinese fans?

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Musical lovers in China are in for a real treat as "Matilda The Musical" – one of the most renowned British musicals – will kick off its China tour next year, following successful runs in the UK, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

With playwright Dennis Kelly's colorful storytelling and original songs by Tim Minchin, the stage adaptation has garnered over 85 international awards, including five Tony Awards and seven Olivier Awards, and has been watched by over 8.5 million people worldwide.

The launch ceremony of "Matilda The Musical" is held at the Residence of the British Ambassador in Beijing, China, November 21, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Chinese theater and musical production companies Poly Theatre and Seven Ages announced the tour plan of the British multi-award winning musical at a launch ceremony on November 21 at the Residence of the British Ambassador in Beijing.

According to Guo Wenpeng, managing director of Poly Theatre Management Company, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will join hands with Chinese production teams to present the original dreamlike musical to the Chinese audience and to introduce more family-oriented musicals that Chinese parents and children can enjoy together.

A still from "Matilda The Musical." /Courtesy of the RSC

"Royal Shakespeare Company is as proud to present 'Matilda' around the world as it is proud to present 'King Lear', 'Romeo and Julia' and 'Hamlet'. In fact, Matilda is our one-meter-high Hamlet except with great songs, dancing, and more jokes," said veteran British theater producer Andre Ptaszynski, the musical's executive producer, adding, "It still thrills me, and I've seen it 200 times."

Minister-Counselor at the British Embassy China in Beijing Stephen Ellison, and Paul Warwick Griffi, the musical's co-producer from GWB Entertainment, also attended the ceremony.

Five-year-old Sofia Poston, who plays Matilda, performs "Naughty", one of the best-known songs in the musical at a launch event in Beijing, China, November 21, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Five-year-old Sofia Poston, who plays the title role of Matilda, performed "Naughty," one of the best-known songs in the musical, at the event.

"The UK has a very strong heritage of performing arts as indeed as does China on both a large scale and a much smaller scale," noted Ellison, director of the Department for International Trades.

Gudabaihua, a talk-show and theatrical translator, hosts the ceremony in Beijing, China, November 21, 2018. /CGTN Photo

He described the introduction of the production as "a great chance to further UK-China cultural exchange, and a great opportunity for all the audience here to experience one of the most popular and best British musicals."

"Matilda The Musical" will start its nationwide tour from south China's Guangdong Province in June 2019 and travel across 13 cities, sweeping its Chinese fans into the fantastical world of "those revolting children."

A tale to delight audiences of all ages

A still from "Matilda The Musical". /courtesy of the RSC

"Matilda The Musical". /courtesy of the RSC

A still from "Matilda The Musical". /courtesy of the RSC

"I can change my story" is a key line of the beloved little genius.

Based on Roald Dahl's novel "Matilda," the musical recounts the story of an extraordinary girl named Matilda Wormwood who navigates the ups and downs of her childhood, and dares to take a stand and change her own destiny – even her cruel TV-addicted parents and a hardened headmistress can't get in her way.

British theater producer Andre Ptaszynski, the original musical's executive producer, speaks about the cooperation with Chinese production companies. /CGTN Photo

In addition to the beautiful music, heart-touching lyrics and vivid stage sets, the strong and positive messages delivered by the show make it a tale that will resonate with audiences, young and old alike.

Ptaszynski believed that for the children who watch the show "the excitement of the way Matilda changes her own life is inspiring. And the effect the show has on adults may be even more profound." He revealed that there are some tear-jerking moments that will take the grownups in the audience back to when they were children.

Yang Jiamin, CEO of Seven Ages Investment Co. Ltd., speaks about how she managed to bring ‍"Matilda The Musical" to China. /CGTN Photo

Yang Jiamin, CEO of Seven Ages Investment Co. Ltd., who first came up with the idea to bring "Matilda The Musical" to China, recalled how deeply touched she was by the show when she watched it for the first time in London in 2012, saying that "If there is any musical that might become a milestone in the development of musical market in China, I do believe it must be 'Matilda'."

Referring to the smartness, strength and fearlessness Matilda shows, Yang also expressed her hope that the show will bring out the brave child in both little girls and adult women in China, giving them the courage to take a stand and change their own lives in any tough situation.

(Video by Hong Yaobin; Cover image by Yin Yating)