The Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed that the hit musical based on Roald Dahl’s classic story will head off on its first UK tour from March 2018.
Opening at the Leicester Curve on the 5th March, the musical will also visit Dublin, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff with further dates and venues to be announced.
Having won 85 international awards, including sixteen for Best New Musical, the UK touring production will visit the Leicester Curve from the 5th to the 24th March 2018, before touring across the country until 2019.
Tickets for Leicester, Dublin, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Manchester and Cardiff will go on sale to the public on 26 April following a priority booking period between 19 and 25 April. Tickets for Birmingham go on sale on 9 May, after a priority booking from 25 April to 8 May.
Each venue on the tour will be accompanied by a new education programme to engage young people, inspired by Matilda The Musical. From a travelling library of stories led by Mrs Phelps, to whole school takeovers of Matilda, the RSC aims to reach over 15,000 children, in collaboration with touring theatre partners. Further details to be announced.
The musical will also continue its West End run, which is currently booking until December 2017.
Catherine Mallyon, RSC Executive Director said:“We are thrilled our home-grown miracle, which started life after a seven year gestation in Stratford-upon-Avon, has grown into a bit of a global phenomenon. Following Matilda’s successful run on Broadway, our current tours around North America, Australia and New Zealand, and continuing into our sixth year at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End, it is fantastic that we can share Matilda with audiences around the UK and in Ireland.”
Matilda the Musical is currently in its sixth year at the Cambridge Theatre and is the longest running production at the theatre.
The production is directed by Matthew Warchus, features a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin. Meanwhile, the creative team also includes designs by Rob Howell, choreography by Peter Darling, lighting byHugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.
For more information on Matilda the Musical’s UK tour visit: http://uk.matildathemusical.com/tour/.