Matilda Star

One of our pupils took her final bow after a phenomenal year-long run playing the title character in Matilda the Musical in the West End.

Sophia in Year 5 first played Young Eponine in Les Misérables for six months before she won her dream role in Matilda last year.

“I have loved every second of Matilda.  The people I worked with were just incredible and I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity.  At the beginning, I had 10 weeks of intensive rehearsals with a vocal coach, music coach, acting coach and dance coach – so I really learnt a lot! My teachers were amazing and made sure I was always up to date with my school work.  Once I started performing, I would do 2 or 3 shows a week and also 2 or 3 standbys, so there were lots of late nights, but South Hampstead were so supportive throughout. I was able to balance everything and learned to be extremely organised.  Performing as Matilda is something I will never forget – especially the show where the whole of Year 5 came and sat in the front five rows!  Two other highlights were going to Buckingham Palace, and performing in one of the beautiful State Rooms, and being on BBC1’s Match of the Day supporting the Lionesses in the World Cup over the summer.  I am so grateful to South Hampstead for allowing me this amazing experience.  I hope to carry on with my drama at South Hampstead and share what I have learnt.”

Sophia follows in the footsteps of many our former pupils who discovered acting whilst at South Hampstead, including Helena Bonham Carter CBE and the late Glynis Johns and Dame Angela Lansbury – read more.