MATILDA THE MUSICAL Returns To The West Midlands Opening Tonight At Birmingham Hippodrome

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.

The multi-award winning show had its world premiere at the RSC's home in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010, before transferring to London's West End in October 2011 where it continues to play today.

To mark the show's official arrival at Birmingham Hippodrome, Lara Cohen, who shares the role of Matilda on UK and Ireland tour, took time away from Crunchem Hall to pose alongside Birmingham's very own 'Bullring Bull'; an iconic symbol of the city much-loved by residents and visitors alike.

Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, the Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland Tour opened to rave reviews on the 15 March 2018 at Leicester Curve. Currently at Birmingham Hippodrome (3 July - 8 September 2018), the following tour dates are Manchester Palace (18 September - 24 November 2018), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (4 December - 12 January 2019), Theatre Royal Plymouth (15 January - 16 February 2019), the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (19 February - 23 March 2019), Edinburgh Playhouse (2 - 27 April 2019), The Bristol Hippodrome (7 May - 8 June 2019), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (11 June - 6 July 2019) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 July - 17 August 2019). The West End production will continue to play at the Cambridge Theatre, where it is now in its seventh year and is booking until 20 October 2019. The adult cast for the UK and Ireland Tour will see Craige Els 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 and Rebecca Thornhill as Mr and Mrs Wormwood.

The title role of Matilda will be shared by Annalise Bradbury, Lara Cohen, Poppy Jones and Nicola Turner.

The full adult cast includes Joe Atkinson, Nina Bell, Peter Bindloss, Oliver Bingham, Emily Bull, Matthew Caputo, Samara Casteallo, Craige Els, Matt Gillett, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Sam Lathwood, Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Charlie Martin, Anu Ogunmefun, Carly Thoms, Rebecca Thornhill, Sebastien Torkia, Taylor Walker, Adam Vaughan, and Dawn Williams.

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction 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 the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Ticket Sales, Gift Vouchers & Memberships: 0844 338 5000 Select your own seat online: birminghamhippodrome.com Groups & Schools Hotline: 0844 338 7000 Restaurant reservations: 0844 338 9000