New cast members joined Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre in London this September. Meet Kieran Hill and Lydia White, playing Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey. 

How does it feel to be stepping into this role? 

Honestly, I genuinely feel very lucky. I knew people that were involved in the original workshops and even back then, they were working on something very special. I've wanted to play this part ever since, so I feel very privileged to get the opportunity.

There is a long line of incredibly talented people that have played this part before me, and it's now my responsibility to do my very best to honour this fantastic character and continue to keep this wonderful show moving forward.

What is your favourite characteristic of Miss Trunchbull?

Her commitment to her beliefs, however deluded, must be commended, and although she takes them to the very extreme, there's something to be said for being laser-focused on your goals. Maybe.

I know this isn’t strictly a characteristic, but it is liberating to be able to scream 'Quiet, you maggots'. Her use of the whistle to control children is also very interesting, although I haven't been brave enough to try this on my own yet. I worry the high pitched noise may have the opposite effect on my children, triggering some new chaos that I'm not equipped to deal with. Plus, there is the fear that they could at some point gain control of the whistle, which I can't think about without panicking.

What is your favourite characteristic of Miss Honey?

I love her warmth and passion. She absolutely loves teaching and her classroom is her ‘happy’ place. It’s so lovely that when she is around children, she is able to blossom. It feels to me that working as a teacher is an act of defiance against her aunt, and against the abuse Miss Honey has faced throughout her life. She is truly loved in this space and is able to feel a fraction of peace. 

Matilda's life changes, thanks to Miss Honey. Did you have a teacher that changed your life?

I was lucky to have many teachers that changed my life. My first singing teacher when I was a teenager was an amazing woman - she instilled a huge amount of drive and passion in me at an age where this felt quite scarce and I absolutely loved her.

I also had an amazing piano teacher when I trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She allowed me to see playing piano in such a creative way, not always looking for merit or perfection and I learnt so much from her about resilience.

You can see Kieran and Lydia onstage now at the Cambridge Theatre, London, currently booking until December 2024. Find out more about the new Matilda The Musical cast in the West End.

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