The Duke of York's Royal Military School Earns High Praise from National School Theatre Awards
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School recently captivated sell-out audiences across three-nights with its annual musical production, staging the much-loved ‘Matilda’ in the school’s esteemed Nye Hall Performing Arts Centre. This ambitious rendition of the acclaimed musical, based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel, showcased the exceptional talent and dedication of the school’s students.
The production garnered high praise from the National School Theatre Awards (NSTA), with representatives attending the performance to evaluate its merits. In their review, the NSTA highlighted the students’ ability to bring the story to life, noting that they “brought remarkable energy to the performance, their voices filling the theatre with enthusiasm and love for the stage.”
Outstanding performances included Georgie as Miss Honey, Beluchi as Miss Trunchbull, Connor as Bruce, and Elijah and Ciara as Mr and Mrs Wormwood. For the first time in the school’s history, a Year 7 student filled the lead role with a standout performance delivered by Madalynn in the role of Matilda. The NSTA review commended her portrayal, stating, “Madalynn was entirely at ease with her many solos and used her physicality well to highlight just how special Matilda was.” Her ability to embody the character’s resilience and intelligence resonated deeply with audiences.
The school’s commitment to excellence extended beyond the performances to the technical aspects of the production, with students making up the lighting, sound, and backstage crews. The NSTA review praised the set design as “simple yet effective,” allowing for seamless transitions between scenes and enhancing the storytelling experience.
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School provides students with invaluable opportunities to develop their skills and talents both on and off the stage. The resounding success of ‘Matilda’ stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the students, staff, and creative team involved.
