Family Favourite Matilda The Musical Returns to Sunderland Empire
The Royal Shakespeare Company's smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, is heading to Sunderland Empire this February!
The internationally renowned musical – which continues to play to packed houses in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre and has been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities around the world – has recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary.
This anarchic production, about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination, has won over 100 global awards, including 24 for Best Musical. A film adaptation made by the core creative team received its World Premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2022 and can now be streamed on Netflix.
Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.
‘We are delighted that the show is returning to Sunderland and that the North East will be able to see our extraordinary show again in such a beautiful and historic venue as the Sunderland Empire theatre,’ say Denise Wood and Griselda Yorke, Executive Producers of Matilda The Musical.
‘I’m delighted that Matilda’s going out on tour again,’ adds writer Dennis Kelly. ‘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.’
‘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,’ says composer and lyricist Tim Minchin. ‘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.’
Director Matthew Warchus is delighted that the production is about to be seen live by a whole new generation of children and families in theatres. ‘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,’ he says.
RSC co-artistic directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey agree. ‘Matilda Wormwood’s genius is still teaching us that “sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty”,’ they say. ‘We can’t wait to share her story with audiences up and down the country.’
