Key Takeaways
- Danny DeVito narrated the 30th anniversary screening of Matilda at London's Royal Albert Hall on Friday night, seated in a leather armchair beside the conductor's podium.
- Mara Wilson, Pam Ferris, Kiami Davael, Jacqueline Steiger and Kira Spencer Hesser surprised the crowd by joining DeVito on stage, which the venue called "the best surprise ever."
- Composer David Newman led the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra through the score after a pre-concert Q&A with DeVito about the six features they have made together.
- The Royal Albert Hall's Films in Concert series continues with Home Alone In Concert on Dec. 5 and 6, while Picturehouses returned a 30th anniversary edition of Matilda to cinemas on Oct. 13.
A special screening of Matilda narrated by Danny DeVito with a full orchestra came with a twist as the original cast showed up too.
Several stars of the 1996 film, including Mara Wilson and Pam Ferris, came out alongside DeVito at the Royal Albert Hall.
The venue itself was just as thrilled, calling the moment on Facebook "the best surprise ever."
Wilson, who played Matilda, and Ferris, who played Mrs. Trunchbull, were joined by Kiami Davael, who played Lavender, as well as Jacqueline Steiger and Kira Spencer Hesser.
DeVito, 81, made his entrance in full Mr. Wormwood mode, with a pork pie hat, a yellow tie and a loud red shirt. He spent the night in a leather armchair next to the conductor's podium.
Looking back on the shoot, he called it "the time of our lives," then narrated the film live.
Before the screening, DeVito sat down with composer David Newman for a pre-concert Q&A about the six features they've made together, The War of the Roses among them. Newman then led the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra through the score as the film played.
DeVito directed, produced and starred in the adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1988 novel, playing Harry Wormwood, and Wilson was just nine when she got the title role.
The film also holds a painful memory for Wilson. Her mother, Suzie, died on April 26, 1996, and Matilda is dedicated to her.
The Hall's Films in Concert series keeps rolling with Home Alone In Concert on Dec. 5 and 6.
