The musical, based on Roald Dah’s book, tells the story of young Matilda, an incredibly bright and gifted child whose intellect is far in advance of others her age. However, despite her unique abilities, her disinterested parents have cast her aside as being simply bookish – and cannot understand why she is more fascinated by Tess of the d'Urbervilles than television. In her frustration towards her family’s ignorance and callousness, she begins a tirade of pulling pranks on them.