A Magical Triumph: St Ursula’s College Presents Matilda Jr

St Ursula’s College was alive with music, magic and mischief as students brought Roald Dahl’s beloved story Matilda to life in a spectacular musical production that dazzled audiences and warmed hearts—despite the winter chill! We were thrilled to welcome over 350 primary school students to our special matinee performance, introducing a new generation to the magic of musical theatre. Across three sold out evening performances, over 960 audience members from the College community and beyond, braved the cold to support our students and were rewarded with a heartwarming, professional and high-energy show that left everyone smiling.

From the moment the curtain rose, it was clear that this was no ordinary school production. The cast, led by a talented group of student performers, delivered powerful vocals, heartfelt acting and infectious energy. Our lead actors captured the spirit of their characters with charm and confidence, while the ensemble and dancers filled the stage with vibrant movement and joyful expression, creating a dynamic and immersive experience for all.

The pit band, composed of skilled students from Years 7-12, Amadeus tutors and professional musicians, brought Tim Minchin’s score to life with flair and precision, adding depth and emotion to every moment. Behind the scenes, the stage crew worked tirelessly to ensure every scene change was seamless and every technical cue was spot-on. Working alongside the professional lighting and audio team, their professionalism were the backbone of the production’s success. 

The students have been working on this production since Term 3 2024 and the show really ramped up production this year. The students have given up countless hours to rehearse and prepare for the show, and their commitment and passion was clearly visible over the performances. We also had a talented team of set designers join the team in 2025. They helped to decorate and make set pieces to bring Crunchem Hall and the Wormwoods house to life. 

This production would not have been possible without the unwavering support and guidance of our dedicated teachers, who mentored, directed, choreographed and inspired every step of the way. To our Co-Directors, Ms Anne Sukkar and Ms Stephanie Josifovski, thank you for working magic with the leads and ensemble to bring the story and lyrics to life; to our Music Director and Assistant Music Director and Piano Conductor, Ms Sarah Olsen and Ms Danielle Buiaroski, thank you for leading the phenomenal pit band, which consisted of so many junior students; to our costume designer Ms Kate Hoegh-Rasmussen, thank you for capturing the spirit and joy of the show; and Emma Harrison our fantastic choreographer, who worked with the dancers and student choreographers; and to Mr Jamie Valente and Mr Chris Ninni – our fantastic production assistants who worked behind the scenes to ensure the shows ran smoothly. Their passion for the arts and commitment to student growth shone through in every detail of the show.

A special thank you goes to our incredible TAS team and hospitality students, who transformed the foyer in Salo into a festive and welcoming space. Their delicious catering and creative presentation added an extra layer of excitement and community spirit to the event. Thank you to the group of student volunteers who helped usher our audiences and the the College Leadership Team, support staff and College teaching staff who volunteered their time to support the students and team during the weeks leading up to the show. 

To our entire College community—students, staff, families, and friends—thank you for your encouragement, your applause, and your belief in the power of the creative and performing arts. Matilda Jr was more than a show; it was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the joy of storytelling.

We can’t wait to see what magic the next production brings in 2027! 

Gemma Baldwin
CAPA Coordinator