Matilda star Alisha Weir reveals her favourite thing about playing the iconic character

Virgin Radio

6 Oct 2022, 08:52

The stars of upcoming film Matilda the Musical were on the red carpet for the world premiere at the Royal Festival Hall in London last night, and virginradio.co.uk was there to talk to them.

Based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel, the film features music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, from his massively popular musical stage adaptation of the book. It stars screen icon Emma Thompson as the terrifying Miss Trunchbull, as well as Lashana Lynch (No Time to Die), who plays kind-hearted teacher Miss Honey. Matilda is played by 13-year-old Alisha Weir, while Stephen Graham is Mr.Wormwood.

Matilda The Musical’s world premiere opened the 2022 BFI London Film Festival last night (Wednesday 5th October), and speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press on the red carpet, Alisha revealed that the best thing was about playing the titular character was “putting myself in her shoes, and feeling like that, even though I'm little... I can stand up for myself, and she does stand up to her parents.”

The young actor added: “And she stands up to many other people too. I think she's just really clever and brave. And that's what I love about her.”

Speaking about starring in the film, she said: “I'm feeling so grateful for everything… for everyone that gave me this opportunity. It's really just so surreal, and I can't believe I'm on the red carpet right now. I don't know when it will sink in, but it's definitely happened!”

When talking about whether Emma Thompson is as terrifying in real life as she is as Miss Trunchbull, Alisha said: “She's the complete opposite in real life, but she's so good in her part as well. She's so good.”

The upcoming film is the second movie adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl story, with the much-loved first - starring Danny DeVito and Mara Wilson - landing in 1996. In 2010, a stage musical hit London’s West End.

Tim Minchin, who wrote the music for the stage production and also the upcoming new film, spoke to virginradio.co.uk and other press on the red carpet last night how the new adaptation differs from the West End musical. You can read all about it here.

Matilda the Musical will be released in UK cinemas on 25th November, before landing on Netflix on 9th December.