Matilda spins magic at Marina Bay Sands

Singapore

THE hype doesn't always match the reality. But in the case of Matilda The Musical, much of what's been said about it is true. This stage musical adaptation of the much-loved Roald Dahl children's novel is every bit as funny and charming as people say it is - and this coming from a reviewer who's not particularly partial to musicals.

Some of the charm comes from scrappy little Matilda (played by Sofia Poston) herself. In the tradition of many beleaguered young characters from Annie the orphan to Harry Potter, Matilda lives in a house where she's regarded as a pariah. She may not be an orphan like Annie or Harry. But her parents absolutely detest her. They make fun of her love of books and call her names.