Carla Ladstaetter, a little girl with strong connections to Fiordland, dazzled Christchurch audiences with her opening night performance as Matilda in a musical of the same name on Saturday, 17 September at the beautifully restored iconic Isaac Theatre Royal.

The Roald Dahl’s story of an extraordinary girl, an avid book reader with a sharp wit and special powers, Matilda is being staged by Showbiz Christchurch, a not-for-profit organisation that employs high level professional production team with a volunteer cast and crew.

Directed by Stephen Robertson, this dynamic production features a large cast of talented Kiwi performers, including 19 children, 20 adult actors, 13 off-stage singers accompanied by 11 musicians, a production team, designers and creatives.

During the 3-hour show the audience is energised, entertained, amazed, made to lough and reflect, but never bored.

The show was originally planned to open on Easter Weekend in April, but was postponed due to the outbreak of the omicron variant of Covid-19, giving the cast five extra months to rehearse. 

According to Showbiz Christchurch General Manager Craig Ogilvie, this is one of the biggest roles for a child. It’s very physically and vocally demanding. That’s why there are three Matildas and two casts of kids – two groups of four girls and four boys to alternate. Every night there are two Matildas, one on stage and one offstage, ready to step in if the need arises. 

Carla, who recently turned 10, is the youngest of the three Matildas. Daughter of a German-born concert pianist and music teacher Kerstin Ladstaetter, and Jimmy Calder, owner of the Manapouri Freestone Backpackers and a keen guitarist, Carla has been exposed to music and singing from birth. 

She says she didn’t feel stage fright on the opening night, but almost had to get off stage, when she was accidentally elbowed in the face by one of the cast members during a vigorous dance routine.

“It hurt a lot and my face was bleeding a little, but I thought of my auntie, who came all the way from Australia specially to see me, and I stayed on,” she said.

Carla has a beautiful singing voice and her acting is convincing, given her young age. There is a lot for a young performer to remember. Not only did she have to memorise her lines, songs and dance routines, but also needs to know what props to pickup for what scene and where she has to be on stage at any given time. She even had to learn some Russian language for the show.

Born in Manapouri, Carla went to Te Anau Primary School, before she moved to Christchurch with her mother last year to further Carla’s exceptional talents. She now goes to Burnside Primary School which boasts an excellent music programme and a large number of musically talented pupils.

The GO2NZ tour group from Te Anau and Manapouri, with owner, Martin Sliva holding Carla on his shoulders, Photo: Martin Sliva

Last Wednesday, 21 September, a group of 14 Te Anau and Manapouri residents went to Christchurch to see Carla perform. Eight travelled with GO2NZ tour operator, Martin Sliva. Others made their own way to the show.

They all had a chance to meet the young starlet before the show on Wednesday and have a cup of tea with her very proud parents.

Matilda performances will continue in Christchurch until Sunday, 2 October 2022.