General News
7 August, 2026
Performance highlights emerging talent
Highview College’s production of 'Matilda Jr' runs from August 13 to 15 at the Geoff James Theatre.
Curtains will soon rise on Highview College’s production of Matilda Jr, running for three nights next week.
The story of one extraordinary, if downtrodden, girl who dares to take a stand will be retold by a cast of emerging local talent.
The production, running from August 13 to 15, is the culmination of months of work from an expanded team of students.
Drama and theatre studies teacher, and the production’s director, Dean Gale said the musical represents the contributions of 70 students both on and behind the stage.
“This massive emotional effort and buy in that these kids are giving I think it’s really important we celebrate that,” he said.
Highview College teacher Natalie Lohmann, who is the production’s assistant director and producer, said the students had put their “heart” into the musical.
“There’s a lot of care, love, and hope for themselves in it,” she said.
Matilda Jr has proven to be an opportunity for new young talent to take on main roles.
Among them is Year 9 student Zhara Thorpe, who went from minor role to lead between productions as Matilda.
“This year is a very big step up. It goes from two lines to almost a whole show,” she said.
Zhara hopes to champion the character’s “iconic” emotional voice in her performance.
“Matilda brings a lot of justice to the show and she shows the world what it is and what it could be. I think that’s really good to teach people,” she said.
Year 8 student Samuel Bennett, who plays the “bombastic” escapologist, said the show challenged audience’s assumptions.
“Youth doesn’t mean you’re useless. You can still make a difference even if you’re young,” he said.
Samuel said the cast’s performance heights rivalled those seen on Broadway.
“To do that from such a young age is so impressive,” he said.
“It’s important to support kids who are going to follow their dreams and become actors.”
Year 12 student Phinnaeus Knighton-Weire’s role as Matilda’s begrudging dad will be his last at Highview.
“I just think the whole energy of the play changes every time he enters,” he said.
“You have to let go of any stage fright or nervousness and you just have to be as extreme, egotistical and cocky as possible which is something that’s really funny to me.”
Beyond his own performance he said younger talent had “really thrived” in larger roles.
“Once you see what they’re able to do now imagine what they’re going to do when they’re my age,” he said.
Among those younger performers is Year 8 student Liam Holmes, playing Bruce Bogtrotter, who gets Matilda in trouble by eating a cake.
“He’s like naughty and he’s nice at the same time and he kind of just does whatever he wants,” he said.
They’re the same words he used to describe himself, best shown with his reason for auditioning.
Ms Lohmann said he wanted the role so he could eat an actual cake despite being dairy and gluten free at the time.
“He did that to torture us,” she said.
As she spoke Liam was tapping his head as if the plan had worked.
“It’s what I do,” he said.
Where Liam brings menace Year 8 student Ember Pritchard brings kindness, playing Miss Honey, Matilda’s sympathetic teacher.
“I just really like being able to play someone everyone can relate to because everyone’s had a teacher they’ve connected to on a different level,” she said.
Her relationship with a teacher who guided her will inform how she approaches the role.
“I’ve just really liked being able to play that person,” she said.
Ms Lohmann said the students “just want to put on a good show” and they’ve worked hard to do it.
All that’s left is an audience to watch them perform.
“Come support our community and come support these kids and the amazing effort they’ve put in,” she said.
Matilda Jr will be performed through August 13 to 15, starting 6 pm each night, at the Geoff James Theatre.
Tickets are currently for sale on Highview College’s website.