Matilda Casting? — Page 2

I haven't seen the show live, but what I've been able to hear and glimpse would have me believe otherwise-that Carvel is BRILLIANT. He should be allowed to transfer. If it's an Equity issue, I'm hoping they can work it out.

If it has to be re-cast then Sieber would top my list.

Lauren Ward is indeed American. However, they managed to get Richard Fleeshman over here (I'm guessing there was an exchange with Caissie Levy being sent to London for Ghost). Why they can't work something similar out here I have no idea. I'd really like for him to come over.

It could be an Equity issue, but it could not be as well. There are many other factors, including such things as the producers or creative team wanting to recast, or maybe Carvel just does not want to uproot himself and come to NY (believe it or not that does sometimes happen to be the case).

My guess is that to some degree the producers did cast Lauren Ward as a pre-emptive exchange. I'm not saying that she isn't talented, I actually like her quite a bit on the cast recording and would not be disappointed if she does indeed open the show here, but I'm sure it was in the back of at least one producer's mind as a bonus for casting here.

There's no 'if' about it, Lauren Ward will be transferring and playing Miss Honey in the original broadway cast.

I thought of Sieber, but he might be a little too pantomime methinks...

I hope Ward is nominated for a Featured actress Tony

Because Tim Minchin et al looked at it and thought "well, this is obviously a man's role." (true story)

The RSC always has a blind casting approach.

The role is incredibly physically demanding (not saying a woman can't do it) but it involves lifting children up and stuff like that. The character also needs to tower over Miss Honey, and it's hard to find women over 6ft, sadly.

Also - Dennis Kelly saw it that the character is neither a man nor woman... it's a monster.

I've heard rumours that Bertie will go over to do it - as he's not doing Bridget Jones' musical any more....

The RSC won't cast famous names in it - so don't expect Sutton Foster or Harvey Fierstein. Roald Dahl is the star of this show - and that's how it will remain.

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The good news is that the RSC will not Americanise this. They're working very hard with dialect coaches to get the British accents spot on.

Also, the language is very British - songs like Telly and The School Song are written in a very British vernacular.

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Christopher Sieber for Trenchbull!!

It was also my understanding that not only is difficult to find a woman over 6ft who meets the demands of the role, but you need to be able to cast SEVERAL (for ensemble/understudy/tour/etc). It's just easier to cast a man (since she's more a monster than a gender) instead of ending up casting a terrible replacement but you put yourself in a "she's awful but 6'4 box."

Anyone know what the height limit is for the school children ensemble?

The casting notices specify that schoolchildren need to be 4'10" or less, and Matildas need to be 4'4" or less.