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 and it will be coming to Plymouth’s Theatre Royal at the start of 2026.

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 be heading to the TRP  for a four-week run from January 13 to February 7,  2026.

The show will celebrate its 15-year anniversary when it opens at Leicester Curve, before travelling to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh and Manchester where it will run through March and April of 2026.  

Further tour dates are expected to be announced next year. 

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.

 Writer Dennis Kelly said:’m delighted that Matilda’s going out on tour again next year. 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.’

 Meanwhile, composer and lyricist Tim Minchin is still amazed as what was originally a small scale show has turned into a supernova.

‘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,’ he said.  

‘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.’

 The show’s director Matthew Warchus added: ‘I’m delighted that our production of Matilda The Musical is about to be seen live by a whole new generation of children and families.

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.” 

 Casting and further creative team details will be announced in due course.