--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Working with the children on 'Matilda'…" description: "\"Working with the children on 'Matilda' has been a joy. They don't do this professionally - their sense of discovery is instinctive, and the challenge f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/bertie-carvel-29818_adult_working-with-the-children-on-matilda-has_1647433.jpg" --- # Working with the children on 'Matilda' has been a joy… ![“Working with the children on 'Matilda' has been a joy. They don't do this professionally - their sense of discovery is instinctive, and the challenge for us adults is to keep that going in ourselves when we're doing it for the fiftieth or the hundredth time. To my delight and amazement, it hasn't…” quote by Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/bertie-carvel-29818_adult_working-with-the-children-on-matilda-has_1647433.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/bertie-carvel-29818_adult_working-with-the-children-on-matilda-has_1647433.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f3/bertie-carvel-29818_adult_working-with-the-children-on-matilda-has_1647433.jpg) > “Working with the children on 'Matilda' has been a joy. They don't do this professionally - their sense of discovery is instinctive, and the challenge for us adults is to keep that going in ourselves when we're doing it for the fiftieth or the hundredth time. To my delight and amazement, it hasn't gone stale - we discover it freshly every time.” [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adults can learn from children's instinctive curiosity, maintaining freshness in repeated tasks. **In simple terms:** Children’s curiosity can inspire adults to stay fresh. Key Takeaway Embrace childlike discovery in routine work. Themes creativity learning growth Mood enthusiastic reflective Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - teaching - rehearsals - long‑term projects - creative workshops Key Concepts instinctive discovery mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate instinctive curiosity daily? - What routines help keep work feeling new? A Different Perspective Adults may struggle to sustain curiosity without intentional practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenge/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [ \[Our understanding is\] not intellectual, but instinctive. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-richards/our-understanding-is-not-intellectual-but-instinctive/) [Ann Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-richards/) > [Singing duets is instinctive, intuitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/singing-duets-is-instinctive-intuitive/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [People call me an instinctive actor. I used to consider that an insult early on, only because I had never studied. Now... I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-aiello/people-call-me-an-instinctive-actor-i-used-to-consider-that-an-insult/) [Danny Aiello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-aiello/) > [...science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common-sense rounded out and minutely articulated. It is therefore as much an instinctive product, as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/science-is-nothing-but-developed-perception-interpreted-intent-common/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [Madonna's great instinctive intelligence was evident to me from her earliest videos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/madonna-s-great-instinctive-intelligence-was-evident-to-me-from-her/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [“Every day try to convert your reactions to responses. Reactions are always instinctive, whereas responses are always well thought of, just and right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-ratna/every-day-try-to-convert-your-reactions-to-responses-reactions-are/) [Abhishek Ratna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-ratna/) > [There are some roles that are a no-brainer. You just have a sure, instinctive 'Yes!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-mcteer/there-are-some-roles-that-are-a-no-brainer-you-just-have-a-sure/) [Janet McTeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-mcteer/) > [I'm very instinctive when I choose my roles, and usually, the number one thing has to be the director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clare-hope-ashitey/i-m-very-instinctive-when-i-choose-my-roles-and-usually-the-number/) [Clare-Hope Ashitey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clare-hope-ashitey/) > [In our house caring about food is pretty instinctive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/in-our-house-caring-about-food-is-pretty-instinctive/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [I'd thought sexuality was instinctive or natural, but it's profoundly linked to inner security and cultural context.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahar-ben-jelloun/i-d-thought-sexuality-was-instinctive-or-natural-but-it-s-profoundly/) [Tahar Ben Jelloun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahar-ben-jelloun/) > [When my heart rate is so high, I seem to be able to play even better, without making bad decisions. It almost switches the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-norrie/when-my-heart-rate-is-so-high-i-seem-to-be-able-to-play-even-better/) [Cameron Norrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-norrie/) > [“The more we're connected to our chosen someone, the more we can pick up what they're feeling. It's instinctive, like breathing." "You can't hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-more-we-re-connected-to-our-chosen-someone-the-more-we-can-pick/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“The instinctive preference was to read rather than to act. No wonder our actual lives were more or less a shambles”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/the-instinctive-preference-was-to-read-rather-than-to-act-no-wonder/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [Some people say, therefore, that violence and war are inevitable. I say rubbish: Our brains are fully capable of controlling instinctive behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/some-people-say-therefore-that-violence-and-war-are-inevitable-i-say/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [My queer black women peers are the ones who make me not feel crazy. The way we act is so instinctive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/my-queer-black-women-peers-are-the-ones-who-make-me-not-feel-crazy/) [Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/) ## More by Bertie Carvel > [I think. as a child, there's something frightening about certain adults, particularly when you're in their clutches or power. That must be the reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-think-as-a-child-there-s-something-frightening-about-certain-adults/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [It's what all actors try to do, really, to just preserve the child inside them because their imagination is quite available. I think partly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/it-s-what-all-actors-try-to-do-really-to-just-preserve-the-child/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [Acting is a mysterious process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/acting-is-a-mysterious-process/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [The most amazing thing you can ask for as an actor from a director is that you're being seen, that the choices made are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/the-most-amazing-thing-you-can-ask-for-as-an-actor-from-a-director-is/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [Actors tend to be quite good at getting on with people. If you’re an arsehole, people don’t want to work with you. You won’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/actors-tend-to-be-quite-good-at-getting-on-with-people-if-you-re-an/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [I'm a socialist. I'm amazed at how the spirit of socialism is alive and well in New York. I had always thought I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-m-a-socialist-i-m-amazed-at-how-the-spirit-of-socialism-is-alive/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [It might sound glib, but in a sense, as an actor Im a journalist and a psychologist recording life and truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/it-might-sound-glib-but-in-a-sense-as-an-actor-im-a-journalist-and-a/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [I think musicals can be more than what people imagine. That'll be the case with 'Matilda.' It's such a clever thing to stage. Parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-think-musicals-can-be-more-than-what-people-imagine-that-ll-be-the/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [I get so carried away in interviews and deliver 1,500-word treatises, then find it's been reduced to something pithier but also not quite accurate.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-get-so-carried-away-in-interviews-and-deliver-1-500-word-treatises/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [It's an odd experience reading interviews with yourself. Interesting, though. Of course, you know that the journalist will have edited, rephrased or even rewritten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/it-s-an-odd-experience-reading-interviews-with-yourself-interesting/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [I came to musical theatre from straight acting, and a lot of my friends have a real prejudice about musical theatre - one I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-came-to-musical-theatre-from-straight-acting-and-a-lot-of-my/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [I live close to Hampstead Heath, so when I do have spare time, I like to raise my white blood cell count with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-live-close-to-hampstead-heath-so-when-i-do-have-spare-time-i-like/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [Kids are no fools: they're very sophisticated, they don't miss a lot; they don't miss nuance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/kids-are-no-fools-they-re-very-sophisticated-they-don-t-miss-a-lot/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [I overthink everything. I'm very keen there should be a positive outcome. I like to control outcomes. But you can't. That's what is nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/i-overthink-everything-i-m-very-keen-there-should-be-a-positive/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) > [It might sound glib, but in a sense, as an actor I'm a journalist and a psychologist recording life and truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertie-carvel/it-might-sound-glib-but-in-a-sense-as-an-actor-i-m-a-journalist-and-a/) [Bertie Carvel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) [Explore all 18 Bertie Carvel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertie-carvel/) ## More Adult quotes > [I feel as though I've fooled the world into thinking I'm an adult and now they're letting me procreate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-murray/i-feel-as-though-i-ve-fooled-the-world-into-thinking-i-m-an-adult-and/) [George Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-murray/) > [There's always that discussion about fiction about how do you market it - these are books for boys, these are books for girls, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-weatherly/there-s-always-that-discussion-about-fiction-about-how-do-you-market/) [L.A. Weatherly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-weatherly/) > [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/) [Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/) > [“The cactus thrives in the desert while the fern thrives in the wetland. The fool will try to plant them in the same flowerbox.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/the-cactus-thrives-in-the-desert-while-the-fern-thrives-in-the/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [I have spent my entire adult life trying to make Liberty University the world-class Christian university that was envisioned at its founding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-falwell-jr/i-have-spent-my-entire-adult-life-trying-to-make-liberty-university/) [Jerry Falwell, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-falwell-jr/) > [“To love was a privilege not afforded to those of us born in these trying times when survival was never guaranteed. We were products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-x-chang/to-love-was-a-privilege-not-afforded-to-those-of-us-born-in-these/) Molly X. Chang > [Adults look upon a child as something empty that is to be filled through their own efforts, as something inert and helpless for which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/adults-look-upon-a-child-as-something-empty-that-is-to-be-filled/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“English: "Being an adult doesn't mean killing the child we once were; it means being able to protect him." Česky: „Být dospělým neznamená zabít…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebasti-n-wortys/english-being-an-adult-doesn-t-mean-killing-the-child-we-once-were-it/) [Sebastián Wortys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebasti-n-wortys/) > [You know, children philosophize more than adults - and they are critical of adults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/you-know-children-philosophize-more-than-adults-and-they-are-critical/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [“There's such an intimate kind of beauty in the act of listening to music being created right in front of your eyes, watching the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-frank/there-s-such-an-intimate-kind-of-beauty-in-the-act-of-listening-to/) [M.C. Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-frank/) > [Whether we think of Disney's blonde beauty and her pumpkin carriage or Marissa Meyer's recent recasting of 'Cinderella' as a cyborg in the young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/whether-we-think-of-disney-s-blonde-beauty-and-her-pumpkin-carriage/) [Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/) > [You have, unfortunately, a K-12 educational system where the requirements to graduate are not the requirements to be college and career-ready. So if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-chertavian/you-have-unfortunately-a-k-12-educational-system-where-the/) [Gerald Chertavian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-chertavian/) > [Child actors going on to become adult actors never really works, apart from a few. Jodie Foster was the exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lester/child-actors-going-on-to-become-adult-actors-never-really-works-apart/) Mark Lester > [Being an adult is the ability to postpone a want for the sake of a family need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hogan/being-an-adult-is-the-ability-to-postpone-a-want-for-the-sake-of-a/) [Chris Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hogan/) > [“Oh, I don’t mean to infer that you’re not a great guy. I’m sure you’re the exception to the rule.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaye-frances/oh-i-don-t-mean-to-infer-that-you-re-not-a-great-guy-i-m-sure-you-re/) Jaye Frances Browse all 1,153 Adult quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Working with the children on 'Matilda' has been a joy. 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