Adorable moment as dad bursts into tears after discovering his 9-year-old daughter has been cast as Matilda in theater company's Roald Dahl production

This is the heartwarming moment a dad burst into tears after discovering his daughter had won the lead role of Matilda in an upcoming theater production.

Jack Sackman, 31, and Lola, 9, were given a surprise visit to their Portsmouth home by Performers Theater Company musical director Sam Gibbs, 29, who told them the exciting news – that Lola would be playing the role of Matilda.

Matilda tells the fictional story of Matilda Wormwood – made famous by Mara Wilson in the 1996 film – a genius forced to put up with uninvolved parents and an evil principal named Agatha Trunchbull.

Soon, Matilda discovers her power of telekinesis and uses it for the greater good, including defending herself against her family and Trunchbull's wrath.

Dad Jack couldn't believe his eyes and ears and was absolutely thrilled when he heard his daughter had been cast in her very first leading role.

Although this was Lola's first ever audition, Jack said she had “worked so hard” and practiced “for ages” for this opportunity.

Recalling the incredible moment, he said: 'She worked so hard and I've never seen her do so much. I was in pieces. I cried all weekend.”

'My mother went crazy. My sister cried. Because Lola is the first grandchild on my side of the family, which is a very big family, everyone was very invested in the audition. It's typical Lola. She always manages to pull it out of the bag.'

After a great audition, Sam, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, decided to surprise Lola with the role of Matilda by coming to her house with the news.

Lola was relaxing at home when she heard a knock on the door, and was immediately shocked to see Sam on her doorstep, accompanied by his mother, Angie Gibbs.

After hearing the news that she would be playing the role of Matilda, Lola was in awe and once she hugged Sam and her emotional father, she too began to burst into tears.

In the video, father and daughter embrace repeatedly before Jack plants a sweet kiss on her forehead. He beams, “That's all your hard work, honey.”

Lola said of the moment: 'I'm very excited. This is the first time I'm getting a lead role in a show. We practiced for ages for the audition.

Dad Jack was absolutely thrilled when he heard his daughter had been cast as Matilda

Matilda tells the fictional story of Matilda Wormwood – made famous by Mara Wilson – a genius forced to contend with uninvolved parents and an evil principal named Agatha Trunchbull (photo: Lola Sackman with a Matilda promotional poster)

Jack can be seen wiping away tears after hearing the incredible news

The father and daughter appear to comfort each other as they both fight back tears

'I couldn't find the words. All I could say was “thank you, thank you, thank you”. I told my friends and they said no way! They keep telling me, “I saw you on TikTok, I saw you got the role of Matilda!”

After looking for a new hobby, Lola and her family decided she would give theater a try and for her very first audition, she decided to go for the role of Matilda – which she got.

Now Lola must prepare for the show in May 2024 by attending weekly practice sessions and practicing her songs and lines at home.

However, Sam – the director of the Performers Theater Company in Havant – said starring in Matilda is no easy task.

He added that Lola would have to perfect the “hugely technical role” and that she is expected to lead a cast of more than 50 other children.

Yet the expert remains impressed by her talent: 'Her diction and pronunciation were exceptional. She encapsulated the role of Matilda.

After looking for a new hobby, Lola and her family decided she would give theater a try

Lola has been cast in her very first leading role, an upcoming stage production of Matilda

Jack said Lola “worked so hard” and practiced “for ages” for this opportunity

Now Lola must prepare for the show in May 2024 by attending weekly practice sessions and practicing her songs and lines at home

“It was overwhelming to see Lola's reaction to earning the role of Matilda. So much emotion and excitement all wrapped into one. From her reaction we knew she wanted the role. Lola will absolutely crush the role.”

Despite the responsibility of the role, Lola is still confident that she will do well in the production.

Her mother has even called for another night of performances due to the family's excitement over the production.

She said: 'We had already predicted to Sam that they would probably have to do another night because so many people would have come just to see Lola.'