The theatrical phenomenon that is Matilda the Musical has swept into Bradford and lit up the stage at The Alhambra.

Based on the 1988 Roald Dahl novel Matilda, and wickedly illustrated by Quentin Blake, this is the story of a precocious and hugely intelligent young girl who develops a love of reading, despite her abusive parents and the bonkers headmistress of her school.

In December 2009, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) started a musical version, directed by Matthew Warchus and adapted by Dennis Kelly, with musician and comedian Tim Minchin chosen to write the music and lyrics. And it is the faithfully mischievous adaptation by Tim Minchin from the downright anarchic Roald Dahl original that gives Matilda the Musical its power and its charm.

We're told we have to do what we're told, but surely sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty.

As befits an RSC production, everybody on stage was a talented performer, and the entire production has a very highly polished feel. The set, lighting and choreography are excellent, as too was the sound production, although I struggled to pick up the dialogue from the younger performers. With such a dense and cliché-free script it's hard to catch every word.

Richard Hurst gives a delightfully malevolent performance as the headmistress Miss Trunchbull, contrasting strongly with the gentle, demure teacher Miss Honey (Tessa Kadler).

Ryan Lee proved that loss of dignity is a fundamental prerequisite in the acting profession with his perfectly OTT portrayal of Rudolpho, the dance teacher.

Remember, two wrongs don't make a right. Unless they do.

Mr and Mrs Wormwood, Matilda's completely useless and totally unsupportive parents, could almost have been a play within the play. A splendid comedy double act from Rebecca Thornhill and Adam Stafford completely nailed the heinous couple.

In a time of constant cost pressures on live productions it was wonderful to see Music Director Andrew Corcoran and 10 other musicians in the orchestra pit. Their performances made an enormous contribution to the whole evening.

Throughout the production run the role of Matilda is shared equally by Madison Davis, Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara. Oisin-Luca Pegg, Carter-J Murphy, Brodie Robson and Takunda Khumalo share the role of Bruce. This review featured Madison Davis as Matilda and Brodie Robson played Bruce - both of whom were excellent - and frighteningly precocious.

Matilda the Musical continues at the Bradford Alhambra until 30th November.

Full details can be found here: https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/matilda