Matilda The Musical

The critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda in London with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Wise and directed by Matthew Warchus.

Roald Dahl's magical story about a girl with extraordinary powers has been a favourite novel for millions of people across the world since it was published in 1988. Now Matilda bursts into life on stage in this brand new musical version and children and adults alike are sure to be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

In this world children, there are two types of human being, the winners and the losers... I am A WINNER. I play by the rules and I win. I have always obeyed rules, but what if the rules BETRAY ME, then it is time for the rules to learn who is boss, it is time for the rules to learn that IT IS THEIR TURN TO OBEY BE!" In a world where children are seen and not heard, one child stands up for what is right!...

"This musical version of Roald Dahl's children's book became a runaway hit when it premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon last year and no wonder. Having just transferred to the West End it proves an absolute cracker of a show, bursting with dynamism, fizzing with verve and packed full of slightly naughty children swung around by their pigtails played by incredible child actors who perform their socks off... The humour mixing slapstick and more sophisticated word play will appeal to both children and adults while eye-popping illusions include a piece of chalk writing itself across the blackboard and a child seemingly whizzing into the stratosphere. The wonderful sets, full of building blocks and ascending bookcases, extend right into the auditorium. Gloriously over the top it's an irresistible and ingenious mix of fun, fizz, cruelty, incredible choreography and above all warmth which means we root for the kids from the start. Fantastic." The Daily Express

"How easily this stage version of Roald Dahl's novel could have gone wrong, with little bookworm Matilda becoming too nauseating, nice Miss Honey too sweet and nasty Miss Trunchbull too vicious. But, in fact, the creative team behind this RSC musical pitches the tone beautifully. They catch Dahl's peppery, mischievous, dark imagination and tell his story of the gifted Matilda, her ghastly parents and her wicked headmistress with real zest. They create a show that appeals to children with its monsters and mess, and to adults with its message that reading is cool. Dennis Kelly's script is witty and acerbic, Tim Minchin's songs cheeky, stirring and touching by turns and Matthew Warchus directs, entirely appropriately, like a lad left unsupervised in the science lab." The Financial Times

"Although Matthew Warchus' pyrotechnical production is faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl's 1988 novel, and although it makes nods to Quentin Blake's illustrations too, it makes darn sure to establish a theatrical character of its own. So Tim Minchin's songs and Dennis Kelly's script reorder and amp up this story of a book-loving five-year-old genius, the family and horrible headmistress who don't understand her and the teacher who does... Minchin's songs are, like Matilda, smart but not smart-arsed. When I Grow Up evokes a child's-eye view of adulthood — 'Sweets every day!' — with an affecting irony. You won't go home humming many of them, but they're so densely ingenious that you will regret missing some of the lyrics amid all the hoopla." The Times

"Baddies always have the best fun. The villain in this stonking musical treatment of Roald Dahl's Matilda is Miss Agatha Trunchbull, headmistress, sadist and sometime Olympic Games hammer thrower. Miss Trunchbull has a front larger than Selfridges. Her bra is not just an over-theshoulder-boulder-holder. It may have been engineered by Brunel. And her wart! All twitchy and hairy and big enough to snag a lasso. Here is a character to terrify tiddlers as much as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's child catcher did 40 years ago. Matilda is a fabulous family fizzer. It has strong tunes, witty lyrics and enough 'eew!' moments to satisfy the most revolting urchin." The Daily Mail

Due to the extended time needed to move the set into the theatre etc the first five previews at the Cambridge Theatre in London where cancelled and the official 'opening night' was delayed by three days.

Matilda The Musical in London at the Cambridges Theatre previewed from 25 October 2011, opened on 24 November 2011 (originally scheduled to preview from 18 October 2011 and open on 22 November 2011).