Matt Gillett News

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical returns to the West Midlands running at Birmingham Hippodrome from tonight (Tues 3 July) until 8 Sept as part of its major 2018/19 UK and Ireland Tour and accompanied by a specially devised education programme, Change My Story, for schools.

Having opened to rave reviews at the beginning of this year, the UK and Ireland tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda the Musical has announced today that Craige Els will extend his contract and play Miss Trunchbull at Manchester's Palace Theatre from 18th September to 24th November 2018.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical will return to the West Midlands in Summer 2018 at Birmingham Hippodrome (3 July - 8 September) as part of its major 2018/19 UK and Ireland Tour and accompanied by a specially devised education programme, Change My Story, for schools.

The official Matilda Twitter account introduced us to the new cast members with a video of the girls baking with Craige Els, who will be playing Miss Trunchbull. The girls talk about what superpower they would have, who their inspiration is, their hobbies and more while creating a 'tour cake.'

Today, the Royal Shakespeare Company announces the child casting for the first five venues of the Matilda The Musical 2018/19 UK and Ireland Tour. The title role will be shared by Annalise Bradbury, Lara Cohen, Poppy Jones and Nicola Turner. The West End production will continue to play at the Cambridge Theatre, where it is now in its seventh year and is booking until 10 February 2019.

Today, the Royal Shakespeare Company announces the adult casting for the first five venues of the Matilda The Musical 2018/19 UK and Ireland Tour. Craige Els will reprise the role of Miss Trunchbull, having played her in the West End for three years between 2014 and 2017. He will be joined by Carly Thoms as Miss Honey and Sebastien Torkia as Mr Wormwood as well as former West End cast-mate Rebecca Thornhill as Mrs Wormwood.

The Make A Difference Trust has just announced that following two triumphant years, Graham Norton will return as host of this year's WEST END BARES: RUBY STRIPPERS at the Novello Theatre on Sunday 29 October at 7.00pm and 9.30pm.

Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse are delighted to announce Charlotte Wakefield in the role of Truly Scrumptious and Jos Vantyler in the role of the Childcatcher in the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, when the production arrives in Edinburgh this October. The tour continues until 4 February 2017.

TICKETS are still available for the much-loved musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which flies into Canterbury this summer. The show, at The Marlowe Theatre from Wednesday 24 August, stars Lee Mead (Casualty, Legally Blonde, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) as Caractacus Potts; Claire Sweeney (Brookside, Strictly Come Dancing, Loose Women, Chicago, Guys And Dolls, Educating Rita, and Hairspray) as Baroness Bomburst; Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst; Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables, War Of The Worlds) as TrulyScrumptious; Matt Gillett (Jersey Boys, Top Hat) as the Childcatcher; and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Grandpa Potts.

From August 3, Claire Sweeney will play the role of Baroness Bomburst in Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse's production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The production is touring across the UK and Ireland until February 2017. Michelle Collins, who currently plays Baroness Bomburst, leaves the production on July 30.

Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse have announced that Matt Gillett will take the role of The Childcatcher in the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, which is touring across the UK and Ireland until February 2017. Matt was already a part of the ensemble when the producers discovered his talent for playing this iconic role. John Stalker, Executive Producer of Music & Lyrics, said: 'We are delighted to offer Matt this starring role having understudied the part of The Childcatcher since the beginning of the show in Leeds. Matt's performance will have everyone on the edge of their seats!' Martin Kemp, who currently plays The Childcatcher, leaves the production on April 24 and Matt will be taking over the role from May 4 in Milton Keynes.

?Further casting has been announced for the Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray), who currently plays the roles of Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bomburst, is set to return to the show from 24 August, coming to the King's Theatre Glasgow from Wednesday 19 until Saturday 29 October 2016.

Further casting has been announced for the Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. From May 4 until 2 October 2, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables, War of the Worlds) will play Truly Scrumptious, and from May 4 until August 21, Shaun Williamson (The Railway Children, EastEnders) will play Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst. Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray), who currently plays the roles of Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bomburst, returns to the show from August 24.

Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse presents the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The 2016-17 UK and Ireland tour begins at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 10 February 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the opening night below!

Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse presents the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The 2016-17 UK and Ireland tour begins at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 10 February 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

Casting has been announced for the Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The 2016-17 UK and Ireland tour begins at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 10 February 2016. Check out a first look at the rehearsals below!

West Yorkshire Playhouse and Music & Lyrics Limited presents the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, opening at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds on 2 December, with a national press night on Thursday 10 December, for a nine-week season finishing on 30 January 2016.  BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Casting has been announced for the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Music & Lyrics Limited production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, opening at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds on 2 December, with a national press night on Thursday 10 December, for a nine-week season finishing on 30 January 2016. 

Casting has been announced for the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Music & Lyrics Limited production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, opening at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds on 2 December, with a national press night on Thursday 10 December, for a nine-week season finishing on 30 January 2016.