Matilda The Musical, is inspired by the Matilda a 1988 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl.

It was adapted for the stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company, with a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin and saw its world premiere at the RSC's home in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010.

Since then, the production has garnered well over 100 international awards, including 25 for Best Musical.

Matilda The Musical tells the story of a precocious child whose uncaring parents are more than happy when its time for her to go to primary school.

And while poor Matilda is forlorn at what she finds, she is also a spunky child with an acute mind, vivid imagination and razor-sharp wit.

She is unbowed when inevitably landing on the 'wrong side' of tyrannical headmistress Miss Agatha Trunchbull.

Matilda The Musical is a theatrical masterpiece.

www.matildathemusical.com

Matilda has everything

I was 'blown away' by Matilda the Musical in 2022, a year when the RSC production was celebrating a hugely successful decade.

And while I have seen and enjoyed any number productions in the last decade, Matilda the Musical has stayed with me as being one of my most memorable theatrical experiences.

Getting to see it again in 2026, I find Matilda the Musical as stunningly vibrant and emotionally enveloping as I remember.

Entering the auditorium, one fines the stage surrounded to the sides and above by a cascading mosaic of jumbled letters and coloured blocks.

Taking our seats with time to spare we were able to find, at least, some of the words among these.

Joy: Escape; Heart; Danger: Atmosphere: Fear, Destiny; Beautiful and Love!. Words perfectly encapsulate Matilda the Musical

Matilda Wormwood is a child intelligent far beyond her years, highly opinionated and with an unswerving conviction as to what is right and wrong.

This does not sit easily with Mr and Mrs Wormwood her parents (played to 'ugly sister' perfection by Neil McDermott and Tiffany Graves), who are unable to come to terms with, and cherish, the daughter they have.

They are more than happy when it's time for Matilda to attend Crunchem Hall Primary School, where her life see-saws between kindly teacher Jenifer Honey (a delightfully controlled Eve Norris) and Agatha Trunchbull, the schools grotesquely tyrannical headteacher (a staggering performance by Jon Robyns).

The role of Matilda is rotating between several young actresses, and I know whoever gets to perform will delight. We had the pleasure of watching Sithuni Gamage in the role and she was mesmeric.

That said, Matilda Matilda The Musical is an absolute ensemble piece with singing, dancing and acting by absolutely everyone on stage a compelling joy to behold.

The rotating corps of Children are just so unbelievably talented and they the chance to perform, literally, front and centre stage, so ably abetted the adult cast.

This is a production that must be as enjoyably rewarding to perform in as it is for us to watch.

Last, but in no way least those on stage are supported behind the scene by the wonderful Crunchem Hall Orchestra

The result is two enthralling hours of song and dance, farce and pathos, heartwarming tenderness and pantomime villainy.

The last word I found before the production started? Dynamite!

Too right!

About the Musical

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical premiered, as does all its productions, at its Stratford-upon-Avon home in 2010.

It transferred to the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End West End in October 2011 and has played to packed houses ever since.

Booking currently available until January 2027.

https://uk.matildathemusical.com/

The UK tour

Matilda The Musical is also in the midst of a major UK tour

• Bristol Hippodrome (02/06/26 – 27/06/26)

• Birmingham Hippodrome (01/07/26 – 02/08/260

• Norwich Theatre Royal (06/08/26 – 06/09/26)

• Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (15/09/26 – 18/10/26)

• Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Theatre (28/10/26 – 14/11/26)

• Glasgow Theatre Royal (18/11/26 – 05/12/26)

• Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (09/12/26 – 17/01/27)

https://tour.matildathemusical.com/

International productions

Matilda The Musical is touring now in China, Bangkok, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

 More information : 

https://uk.matildathemusical.com/