Character guide
Mrs. Wormwood
from Matilda the Musical
Mrs. Wormwood is Matilda's vain, dance-obsessed mother in Matilda the Musical, another comic figure who fails to appreciate her daughter's gifts.
- Show
- Matilda the Musical
- Premiered
- 2013
- Role
- Supporting
- Composer
- Tim Minchin
Who is Mrs. Wormwood?
Mrs. Wormwood is far more interested in ballroom dancing and her own appearance than in raising a thoughtful, book-loving daughter. She dismisses Matilda's intelligence outright, favoring style, flash, and competition trophies over any interest in her child's inner life.
Like her husband, she serves as a comic counterpoint to Matilda, embodying a kind of parental self-absorption that the musical plays for laughs while also using it to underscore just how alone Matilda is at home.
Mrs. Wormwood's role in the musical
Mrs. Wormwood is a supporting role built for a performer who can commit fully to comic excess, particularly through movement, since her dancing ambitions are a running gag throughout the show. The part often includes flashy, energetic numbers that let the actor lean into physical comedy.
She resonates with audiences as a familiar type: the parent so focused on their own pursuits that they miss what is special about their own child, which makes Matilda's eventual triumphs land even harder.
Frequently asked
What show is Mrs. Wormwood from?
Mrs. Wormwood appears in Matilda the Musical, the 2013 production scored by Tim Minchin.
Is Mrs. Wormwood a lead or supporting role?
Mrs. Wormwood is a supporting role known for her comic, dance-focused presence.
What does Mrs. Wormwood care about most?
She is preoccupied with ballroom dancing and her own image, showing little interest in Matilda's intellect.
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