It was just another day in Dame Emma Thompson’s office on Wednesday afternoon as the red carpet rolled out for her latest film, a film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical.
But while Thompson’s acting pedigree is well established, less is known about her young co-star in the upcoming film — although there’s a suspicion that’s about to change.
Alisha Weir, born September 26, 2009 and raised in Dublin’s Knocklyon area, has been pulled from relative obscurity to play the “brilliant” Matilda Wormwood, a schoolgirl with a vivid imagination who dares to take a stand and her wildest dreams to realize a reality.
It could almost be an art imitating life for the young Irish actress, who won the coveted role when she was an 11-year-old acting student with little work experience.
Special Moment: Young actress Alisha Weir made the first significant red carpet appearance of her career on Wednesday at the photocall and press conference for Roald Dahl’s new film Matilda The Musical, in which she stars
Now, at age 13 and on the verge of a major publicity campaign with an A-list cast of actors, Weir appears to be completing a remarkable leap from independent feature films to international stardom.
Before following in Matilda’s tiny footsteps, the young actress and singer previously appeared on Ireland’s The Late Late Toy Show, performing a rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors and Once in the Musical at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.
She also starred in the independent thriller Don’t Leave Home (2018) as Siobhan Callahan and in the Irish TV series Darklands.
There was also a brief appearance on mainstream television where the young actor starred in a rendition of Trip The Light Fantastic on Dancing With The Stars Ireland.
Career Defining Role: Alisha Weir was born on September 26, 2009 and grew up in the Knocklyon area of Dublin. Alisha Weir has been pulled from relative obscurity to play the “brilliant” Matilda Wormwood, a schoolgirl with a vivid imagination who dares to take a stand and turn her wildest dreams into reality
Happy: Following her casting alongside Dame Emma Thompson and former Bond actress Lashana Lynch in 2021, the young star’s drama teacher Johnny Ward – a successful actor best known for his role on Irish soap opera Fair City – tweeted his delight
Following her casting alongside Thompson and former Bond actress Lashana Lynch in 2021, the young star’s drama teacher Johnny Ward – a successful actor best known for his role on Irish soap opera Fair City – tweeted his delight.
He told followers: “MASSIVE NEWS!! Absolutely thrilled to finally announce that my drama student Alisha Weir has landed the title role of ‘Matilda’ in the Roald Dahl Netflix production of Matilda!! So so proud!’
Ward also commended Maureen V Ward Talent Agency Ireland, an extension of the successful Talented Kids Agency Ireland, for her role in representing Weir and promoting her developing career.
The agency previously appeared to foreshadow the path of her career by issuing an enthusiastic review in 2019, describing her vocal performance as “very clear” and “perfectly in tune.”
Stunned: Alisha later admitted she was blown away after winning a role, last played by child star Mara Wilson in Danny DeVito’s 1996 rendition of Dahl’s popular children’s book
Delay: However, she had to wait before work on the production began as principal photography at Shepperton Studios was initially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic
So excited: The young singer and actress has been keeping social media followers updated on her progress in a series of posts
Alisha later admitted she was blown away after winning a role most recently played by child star Mara Wilson in Danny DeVito’s 1996 rendition of Dahl’s popular children’s book.
Posting on Instagram in January 2021, she wrote, “I am extremely excited to be playing the role of ‘Matilda’ in Matilda, the film musical which will be available on Netflix.
‘I’m so excited to start!!! Thank you everyone for all the nice comments. I’m so happy.’
However, she had to wait before work on the production began as principal photography at Shepperton Studios was initially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Matilda director Matthew Warchus recently admitted that Weir felt the role was a “huge role,” but she earned it after “an unforgettable audition.”
Previous: Alisha made a brief appearance on mainstream television, with the young actress (far right) starring in a rendition of Trip The Light Fantastic on Dancing With The Stars Ireland
Our Girl: Maureen V Ward Talent Agency Ireland, an extension of the successful Talented Kids Agency Ireland, is representing the actress and seemed to anticipate the evolution of her career with the release of an enthusiastic report in 2019
Proud: The agency also congratulated Alisha after her role in Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical was confirmed in 2021
Speaking of the new production, he added: “Matilda will be an imaginative and fresh retelling of the award-winning musical ‘Matilda’, starring talented young newcomers alongside established stars.
“I look forward to bringing this beloved and powerful story to a new generation of fans around the world.”
The film is based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel and was written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin from his stage musical adaptation of the book.
The musical was an instant hit when it premiered at the RSC’s Courtyard Theater in Stratford in November 2010; It was then moved to the Cambridge Theater where it is due to reopen as soon as it is permitted to. It also enjoyed a good run on Broadway.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is out November 25 on Sony Pictures.
Inseparable: Dame Emma Thompson greeted young co-star Alisha with a warm hug as they attended a photocall and press conference for the new film in London on Wednesday afternoon
Coming soon: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical will be released on November 25th by Sony Pictures