Airdate: Matilda & Me

Next month ABC screens Matilda and Me, the story of the Australian debut of the hit musical and its composer Tim Minchin.

It includes interviews with Tim Minchin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Roald Dahl’s wife Felicity, Mara Wilson from Danny DeVito’s 1996 film Matilda, plus Eddie Perfect, Andrew Denton, the musical’s writer Dennis Kelly and director Matthew Warchus.

Mandy Chang, Head of Arts, ABC said: “This is a story for everyone and the ABC is excited to be airing a new documentary, Matilda and Me – featuring an Australian icon whose musical genius and a 30 year relationship with Roald Dahl’s marvellous novel culminated in a worldwide smash-hit musical.”

Narrated by Tim’s sister Nel Minchin, and co-directed by Nel and Rhian Skirving (Rock n Roll Nerd) Matilda and Me explores Tim’s life from an insider’s perspective, with intimate access to Tim, his family, close colleagues and friends.

It reveals how Tim has evolved from loud-mouthed iconoclastic comedian to being Australia’s most recognized musical theatre export, and shows how an unlikely partnership led to the most successful musical of its generation.

When the Royal Shakespeare Company took a seemingly big risk by asking Tim to compose a musical based on Roald Dahl’s children’s classic Matilda, little did they know he had been preparing for the job his whole life. Through candid interviews, rare archive, glimpses into Tim’s daily life and personal performances at his home piano, the film reveals how the boy from Perth went from WA’s beaches to Broadway and the West End.

“Anyone who has a brother or sister knows what it’s like to grow up so close to someone, and yet still be surprised at who they turn out to be,” said Nel.

“It was a chance for me to go back in time and piece together how my brother Tim became ‘Tim Minchin’ right before my eyes.”

Against the backdrop of preparations for the Australian premiere, the high energy of the rehearsal room features the original Aussie cast and songs from the musical, propelling the story towards its star studded opening night climax.

“When Nel approached me about being involved in a Matilda doco, I was mostly just excited that she (and her co-director, Rhian, who is one of my best mates) had an excuse to come to LA to hang out,” said Tim.

“But what they’ve created is really lovely and surprising. They have explored my (unremarkable) origin story, and woven it beautifully into the (remarkable) origin story of this musical… celebrating the world- class Aussie theatre industry on the way. Clever sis.”

A largely personal story, the film examines the life and work of Tim and why bringing it home to Australia is perhaps his most important challenge yet.

The film will be complemented by additional ‘children’s’ behind the scenes content produced especially for ABC3.

Matilda & Me is an IN FILMS production for the ABC. Directed by Nel Minchin (Gaycrashers) & Rhian Skirving (Rock n Roll Nerd) Producers: Ivan O’Mahoney (Hitting Home), Nial Fulton (Hitting Home; The Outlaw Michael Howe) & Nel Minchin.

Sunday 3 April at 7:40pm on ABC.