The theatres 2018 programme has gone from good to REVOLTING as the international sensation arrives for a 9 week run next year!
Now in its sixth year in London’s West End, Matilda The Musical is the longest running production at the Cambridge Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses. Adapted for the stage by Dennis Kelly and with original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical has won a staggering 7 Olivier Awards and 5 Tony Awards amongst a total of 85 accolades internationally.
Based on the Roald Dahl classic, Matilda The Musical is 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. Commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, it premiered at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011.
The show has been seen by more than 6.5 million people worldwide and visits Birmingham Hippodrome from 3rd July to 8th September 2018. Friends priority booking opens on 25th April at 11am ahead of tickets going on general on sale on 9th May.
The production will be accompanied by a new education programme, designed to engage young people. From a travelling library of stories led by Mrs Phelps, to whole school takeovers of Matilda, the RSC aims to reach over 15,000 children, in collaboration with touring theatre partners.
The show joins a packed programme which includes the return of international smash-hit Wicked, from 4th April to 29th April 2018 and the much loved War Horse which arrives on 10th October and will play until 3rd November 2018.
Tim Firth’s hotly anticipated new musical-comedy The Band, featuring the music of Take That will arrive in Birmingham in May 2018 and the theatre will also welcome the return of Sir Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella, and Birmingham Royal Ballet are back with their spellbinding Aladdin.
Previously announced productions include the West End and Broadway phenomenon La Cage Aux Folles starring John Partridge and Adrian Zmed, Grease starring The Wanted’s Tom Parker and the first ever UK tour of The Addams Family starring Carrie Hope-Fletcher, Samantha Womack and Les Dennis. This summer also sees the return of the internationally-acclaimed National Theatre production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of the musical masterpiece; Miss Saigon.
Other autumn visits include Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, Sunset Boulevard starring Ria Jones as Norma Desmond, and the debut tour of Carlos Acosta’s brand new dance company Acosta Danza. Fiona Allan, CEO and Artistic Director of Birmingham Hippodrome said:
“Our claim to being ‘The West End in the West Midlands’ is further reinforced with the launch of our new season as we enter an extraordinary 18 month period. We’ll be proudly presenting the very best in award-winning shows: from Funny Girl to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Miss Saigon to Beautiful.
"Plus next year will be even bigger as both Wicked and War Horse return either side of a summer season of the RSC’s Matilda which arrives at Birmingham Hippodrome on its first ever UK Tour in 2018.
“And it’s not all about our main stage - if you’ve never been to our 200-seat Patrick Centre studio, see it brought to life with a fantastic new performance season alongside our resident partners, DanceXChange and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
"We will be bringing many more public performances to the centre for audiences to enjoy including jaw-dropping hip-hop, graceful ballet, Asian dance styles, youth productions and contemporary works-in-progress.
“Outdoors, in our neighbourhood streets and squares, we’ll be escaping to the countryside with Summer in Southside in June and welcoming back the Birmingham Weekender Festival in September with a free outdoor performance like no other.”
For more information, or to book tickets, head to birminghamhippodrome.com or call the box office on 0844 338 5000.
