Matilda's 'Ecstatic' Young Stars and Choreographer Celebrate Their Olivier Awards

As previously reported, Matilda was the big winner at London’s 2012 Olivier Awards on April 15, taking home a record seven trophies—and the musical’s quartet of young Best Actress winners and their choreographer could not be more excited.

“This is coming everywhere with me,” 10-year-old Cleo Demetriou told Broadway.com at the after-party, clutching her trophy close. “I feel ecstatic,” echoed a second Matilda, 10-year-old Eleanor Worthington Cox. And what of the two actresses who have performed the demanding title role for the last time? “It’s an absolute honor to finish with an Olivier Award,” said Kerry Ingram, who turns 13 next month and gave her final performance at the Cambridge Theatre on April 12. Also departing is Sophia Kiely, who had her final show the night before the Oliviers and was preparing to return to school on April 16. “I feel very sad that I’m leaving, but it’s good to get an education,” she said. As for her Olivier, “I’ll treasure it forever,” she said.

Also celebrating was Matilda choreographer Peter Darling, winner of Olivier and Tony Awards for Billy Elliot, and now a second Olivier for yet another musical that puts pre-pubescents first. “I only work with people under five foot,” Darling joked, adding, “Kids are great fun to work with: They link into that core story of triumph over adversity, and there’s more of an emotional punch when it’s happening to a little 11-year-old.”

Darling’s next West End musical promises variations on this very theme: In February 2012 he begins rehearsals for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, director Sam Mendes’ adaptation of the Roald Dahl story that focuses around an 11-year-old boy.