Adorable moment dad breaks down in tears after finding out his daughter, 9, has landed the role of Matilda in theatre company's Roald Dahl production

Jack Sackman, 31, and his daughter, Lola, 9, both teared up at the exciting newsREAD MORE:  I'm a 7-year-old pageant queen and I've got a six-pack

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

Jack Sackman, 31, and Lola, 9, were paid a surprise visit to their home in Portsmouth by Performers Theatre Company’s 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 better good, including defending herself against her family and Trunchbull’s wrath.

Dad Jack couldn’t believe his eyes or ears, and was absolutely thrilled to hear that his daughter had been cast in her first ever lead role.

This is the heartwarming moment Jack Sackman, 29, burst into tears after discovering his daughter, Lola, 9, won the lead role of Matilda (Both pictured)

Although this was Lola’s first ever audition, Jack said she ‘worked so hard’ and had spent ‘ages’ practicing for the opportunity.

Recalling the incredible moment, he said: ‘She worked so hard and I’ve never seen her put herself to anything that much. I was in bits. I was crying all weekend’.

‘My mum went mental. My sister cried. Because Lola is the first grandchild from 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 turning up at her house with the news.

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

After hearing the news that she would be playing the role of Matilda, Lola was starstruck and once she embraced Sam and her emotional father, she too began to tear up.

In the video, the father and daughter repeatedly hug before Jack plants a sweet peck on her forehead. He beams: ‘That’s all your hard work babe’.

Lola said of the moment: ‘I’m really excited. This is the first time I got a lead role in a show. We spent ages practicing for the audition.

Dad Jack was absolutely thrilled to hear that his daughter had been cast as Matilda

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

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

The father and daughter appear to console each other while both fighting back tears

‘I was at a loss for words. The only thing I could say was “thank you, thank you, thank you”. I told my friends and they were just like, 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 that she would give theatre a try and for her first-ever audition, she decided to go for the role of Matilda – which she got.

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

However Sam – who is the principal of the Performers Theatre Company in Havant – said that the main role in Matilda is no easy feat.

He added that Lola would have to perfect the ‘hugely technical role’ and is expected to lead a cast of over 50 other kids.

Still, the expert remains impressed by her talent: ‘Her diction and pronunciation was exceptional. She encapsulated the role of Matilda.

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

Lola has been cast in her first ever lead role, an upcoming theatre production of Matilda

Jack said Lola ‘worked so hard’ and had spent ‘ages’ practicing for the opportunity

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

‘It was overwhelming seeing Lola’s reaction to earning the role of Matilda. So much emotion and excitement all wrapped up into one. We knew from her reaction that she wanted the role. Lola will absolutely smash 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 for the production.

She said: ‘We already pre-empted to Sam that they’re probably going to have to do another night because of how many people were going to have come in just to see Lola.’