Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch looked in good spirits as they performed alongside co-star Alisha Weir at the premiere of Matilda The Musical at the Royal Festival Hall as part of the BFI London Film Festival on Wednesday.
The 63-year-old actress, who plays Miss Trunchbull in the film, cut a stylish figure as she walked the red carpet alongside her co-stars.
Emma donned a tan leather jacket with tassel detail for the evening, which she paired with black trousers.
The movie star also wore a white printed t-shirt and added height to her physique with a pair of black leather boots.
Emma, who completed her look with dark brown earrings, grinned from ear to ear as she was greeted by hundreds of fans who lined the red carpet.
Alisha, who plays Matilda in the film, was joined on the red carpet by actor Stephen Graham, who plays her father, Mr Wormwood.
The Irish actress wore a white dress with a pleated hem and a baby blue waist belt.
Big Screen Debut: Alisha, who plays Matilda in the film, wore a white dress with a pleated hem and a baby blue waist belt
Co-stars: Alisha was joined on the red carpet by Stephen Graham, who plays her father, Mr. Wormwood
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
Stephen, who attended the premiere alongside his wife Hannah Walters, looked chic in a navy blue blazer and matching trousers, which he wore with a black shirt.
Lashana Lynch, who plays Miss Honey, looked sensational tonight in a multicolored sleeveless dress with sequin embellishments.
The garment featured a diamond print, while the No Time To Die star added height to her body with a pair of black heels.
Sindu Vee, who plays Mrs. Phelps in the musical, looked glamorous in a black strapless dress.
The actress also wore an eye-catching gold necklace and matching bracelets, while complementing her look with a burgundy clutch.
Alisha, born September 26, 2009 and raised in Dublin’s Knocklyon area, was 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 reality.
Looking good: Emma donned a tan leather jacket with tassel detail for the evening, which she paired with black trousers
Role: Emma underwent a dramatic transformation for her role as Miss Trunchbull
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.
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.
Family: Accompanying Emma at the premiere was her daughter Gaia, 22, who she shares with husband Greg Wise
Star-studded: Emma stopped on the red carpet to sign autographs for fans
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.
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.
Loved up: Stephen leaned in for a kiss with his wife Hannah Walters, who looked incredible in a navy blue long-sleeved dress
Couple: Comedian Lenny Henry attended the premiere with his partner Lisa Makin
Family: Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak attended the event with his daughter
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.”
Alisha later admitted she was blown away after winning the role last 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.’
Stunning: Sindu Vee, who plays Mrs Phelps in the musical, looked glamorous in a black strapless dress
Looking good: Gaia donned a black floral print midi dress as she posed alongside her dad Greg
Article: Emma and Greg, who have been married for 19 years, looked in good spirits as they walked the red carpet arm in arm
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.”
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.”
Overjoyed: Alisha admitted she was blown away after winning the role, last played by child star Mara Wilson in Danny DeVito’s 1996 rendition of Dahl’s popular children’s book (pictured with Tim Minchin)
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.
Coming soon: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical will be released on November 25th by Sony Pictures