In the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the beloved children’s novel “Matilda”, the formidable headmistress of Crunchem Hall elementary school, Ms. Trunchbull, is played by none other than Emma Thompson.
Taking on the role of this tyrannical figure was no small task, as the character has been played by a number of very talented actors both in the 1996 movie adaptation and the 2013 Tony-winning Broadway show. But Thompson was up to the challenge and worked hard to bring life to this iconic character.
Thompson was determined to bring authenticity to the role and drew inspiration from a “terrifying” headmistress she had as a child, as well as a biography of British poet Edith Sitwell, who was treated cruelly by her parents.
In order to create the illusion of the terrifying Ms. Trunchbull towering over the heroine Matilda, the crew used a variety of inventive camera angles, body doubles, and practical techniques like standing on boxes. Thompson also wore boots with extra-thick soles and was sometimes digitally enhanced to appear much bigger on screen.
It took three hours every day for a team of five people to get Thompson into hair, makeup, and costume. Knowing that film is a more realistic medium, it was important for Thompson to be able to disappear into the role of the Trunchbull.
To achieve this, she wore considerable padding, as well as prosthetics to give her a more severe nose and jawline. The wardrobe team even installed a cooling system inside her costume with pipes and tubes that would pump cold air inside, as the film was shot in the heat of the summer.
From all accounts, Thompson’s performance as the Trunchbull is sure to be a memorable one. With her commitment to the role and her dedication to bringing authenticity to the character, this will be an adaptation that fans of the novel and stage show will not want to miss.
