HIT musical Matilda is heading for Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi award-winning musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved children's book, continues to play to packed houses in the West End and has been seen by 12 million people in 100 cities worldwide. It will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a UK tour next year.
The show, about a strong and determined young heroine with a vivid imagination, has won more than 100 global awards. A film adaptation, Matilda the Musical, made by the core creative team, starring Emma Thompson and Stephen Graham, is currently on Netflix.
The show, written by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by comedian, writer and musician Tim Minchin, is about a clever girl called Matilda, whose love of books is mocked by her brash, heartless parents. The youngster uses her gift of telekinesis to overcome obstacles caused by her parents and terrifying headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.
Tim Minchin said: “When we first started working on the show, our aim was to make a lovely little jewel of a musical for the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. We never imagined that all these years later it would still be running in the West End, have been made into a film, and is now about to embark on its second tour of the UK and Ireland.
“I’m deeply proud of Matilda The Musical, and every single talented person who continues to work on it with passion and enthusiasm.”
Writer Dennis Kelly said: "I’m delighted that Matilda’s going out on tour again in 2025. It’s great to get the chance to bring this little girl’s story to people in their home cities and towns, and to all those theatres where theatre really matters."
Added director Matthew Warchus: “I’m delighted that our production of Matilda The Musical is about to be seen live by a whole new generation of children and families in theatres across the UK. It’s a show we’re really proud of, and an inspiring story of courage that we really care about, so it’s genuinely wonderful to see it continue bringing joy to audiences of all ages.”
RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “We’re delighted to be taking Matilda The Musical on tour again. After its premiere so many years ago in Stratford-upon-Avon, Matilda Wormwood’s genius is still teaching us that ‘sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty’. We can’t wait to share her story with audiences up and down the country.”
Denise Wood and Griselda Yorke, Executive Producers of Matilda The Musical said: “We are delighted to be bringing Matilda The Musical to Bradford in such an important year for the city. For us to be making a return visit in their City of Culture year is special. We are proud of our show and for us to be able to tour it and visit cities like Bradford so that audiences can share this extraordinary little girl’s story is very special indeed.”
* Matilda the Musical will be at the Alhambra from from October 30 to November 23, 2025. Tickets go on general sale on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
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