It may seem a lifetime away, but get spring 2026 in your diaries, because Matilda is coming to town! The Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, will embark on its second major tour of the UK and Ireland in October 2025, including a four-week run at the Manchester Palace Theatre from Thursday 26 March – Saturday 25 April 2026.
The iconic the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny, is has remained a firm family favourite since its inception. 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 – will begin performances in Leicester on 6 October 2025.
The show will celebrate its 15-year anniversary when it opens at Leicester Curve in October 2025, before travelling to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh and Manchester where it will run through March and April of 2026.
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 watched 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.
Composer and lyricist 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.”
Casting and further creative team details will be announced in due course. General sale for Matilda The Musical at all venues (except Leicester Curve and Plymouth Theatre Royal) will start at 10am on 24 October 2024 – with Manchester tickets available here.