First dates announced

Tim Minchin’s Matilda The Musical will embark on a tour of Britain and Ireland from next year.

The adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book – which has won  no fewer than 85 international awards – will kick off at Leicester Curve, from March 5.

Minchin said: ‘I – like millions of others – feel like Dahl is in my blood, because I grew up with his books. So to have contributed to a piece of work that brings one of his most famous stories to life is one of my life’s great joys.

‘I’m utterly thrilled that audiences in cities all across the UK and Ireland will now share and be part of Matilda’s story.’

And Dennis Kelly,  who wrote the musical’s book, added: ‘It’s been a long time coming but I’m delighted that we get to take Matilda around the UK and to Ireland. We have some fantastic theatres in this country and in Ireland, supported by smart, engaged audiences and we can’t wait to bring this crazy, messy, anarchic explosion of a show to them.’

Other cities on the tour – spanning at least until January 2019 – will include Dublin, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre, with more to be announced.

Tickets for  the first batch of dates will go on general on April 26, following a priority booking period that kicks off next Wednesday.

While one version of the show tours, the West End production continues at the Cambridge Theatre, where it has been based for the past six years and is currently booking until December 17.

Minchin’s other musical adaptation, Groundhog Day, opens on Broadway next week.

Published: 11 Apr 2017