The Witches musical reviews at National Theatre

Reviews have been shared for the brand new musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches.

The stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale is now running at the National Theatre’s Olivier theatre.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, the musical has a book and lyrics by Lucy Kirkwood and music and lyrics by Dave Malloy. The cast features Katherine Kingsley, Daniel Rigby, Sally Ann Triplett, Laura Medforth, Richard David-Caine, Ekow Quartey, Maggie Service and Irvine Iqbal.

But did it cast a spell over the critics?

The Witches musical reviews

The Times - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"If you’re a hardcore Dahl fan, prepare to be surprised: the director, Lyndsey Turner, the composer, Dave Malloy, and the co-lyricist and scriptwriter, Lucy Kirkwood, have devised a show that is wittier and more sophisticated than the original novel." - Clive Davis, read the full review

The Independent - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The National Theatre’s sparkling adaptation of Dahl’s story about a group of child-hating witches has the sardonic humour of ‘Matilda’ and ‘Paddington 2’ and is as electrifying as a failed bid to untangle your broken fairy lights." - Alice Saville, read the full review

London Evening Standard - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"This is the Christmas show to beat – a deliciously spiky supernatural tale that honours the dark streak in Roald Dahl’s child-pleasing writing." - Nick Curtis, read the full review

The Stage - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"For all its naughty fun, the show is still brave enough to stick with Dahl’s very compromised sort-of happy ending... It may need a final pinch or two of magic, but this wickedly entertaining show will surely put a mischievous grin on anyone’s face. " - Sam Marlowe, read the full review

The Telegraph - ⭐⭐⭐

"The National Theatre's big Christmas production is charmingly exuberant - but oddly light on drama." - Dominic Cavendish, read the full review

WhatsOnStage - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Whether or not The Witches can rival the gargantuan success of the RSC’s Matilda, there’s something resolutely original and unashamedly fun about this latest Dahl musical makeover. " - Theo Bosanquet, read the full review

The Witches runs at the National Theatre through to 27 January 2024.

For more information and tickets, visit nationaltheatre.org.uk