THE way Roald Dahl understood the innate workings of a child's mind was simply wondrous.

Memories of childhood kind of get locked away when you get older, consigned to the past as busy adult life takes over.

But it all comes flooding back when you watch something like Matilda.

The way reading or being told a story can feel like magic, the dread of the first day at school and everything feeling larger than life, the struggle to fit in and find your voice.

Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of Dahl's beloved novel with writer Dennis Kelly and director Matthew Warchus brings you hurtling back to those childhood years and will also have particular resonance with parents of young children with plenty of tongue-in-cheek references to our little 'miracles'.

Because of that you cannot help but warm to Matilda, who is played by three young stars in the making Sophia Ally, Annalise Bradbury and Scarlett Cecil.

The musical is about a girl with a sharp mind and a love of books whose talents are constantly belittled by her half-witted parents and cruel headmistress until she decides to take a stand against them.

You know you are in safe hands with the Royal Shakespeare Company but Matilda, on its first UK and Ireland tour, was something else – an absolute marvel which was moving and mischievous in equal measure.

One minute you are grinning at the humour and wit in the songs written by Tim Minchin, the next your heart warms as you see the kind gestures of teacher Miss Honey (Carly Thomas), the only thoughtful person in Matilda's world.

Sophia Ally was the title character for press night and the youngster stunned the audience with a charming and confident performance. In fact, all the young performers shone.

Absurd, vulgar characters like Matilda's parents, played to great comic effect by Sebastien Torkia and Rebecca Thornhill, add to that sense of Dahl surrealism and feel as if they lifted straight from the pages of the book.

But nothing quite prepares you for Craige Els' Agatha Trunchbull, a towering hunchbacked headmistress who seems to be made entirely out of the nightmares of cowering school kids.

Els takes on the role of villain with glee and is a joy to see the carnage ensue (watch out for the breathtaking scene when 'Trunch' singles out a girl with long hair) and her eventual comeuppance.

On press night there was a problem with the automated system to bring out props but you could not really notice because it was such a slick production.

Magic, heartwarming and with an inspiring message never to let the bullies win, do not miss this sensation that has already been seen by eight million people.

Matilda is at Palace Theatre in Manchester until November 24. Visit atgtickets.com/shows/matilda/palace-theatre-manchester