RSC Premieres Musical of Roald Dahl’s MatildaDate: 30 September 2009 The Royal Shakespeare Company will premiere a new musical based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel Matilda, which will be one of the final productions at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Courtyard Theatre in late 2010 prior to the still “on time and on budget” 2011 reopening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre following a three-year, £112.8 million renovation. Matilda will have a book by playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian Tim Minchin. The premiere production will be directed by Matthew Warchus. In Matilda, the central character is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her parents but impresses her schoolteacher with and, over the course of her first term at school, teacher and pupil have a profound effect on each other’s lives. Felicity Dahl, Roald Dahl’s widow, said today; “I am thrilled that Matilda is becoming a reality on stage and that our partners at the RSC share this excitement. We are so proud that Roald’s stories continue to be met with such excitement and joy by children all over the world. And with this project, thousands more children will engage with his magical world yet again, but this time as a wonderful theatrical experience.” RSC artistic director Michael Boyd commented: “Matilda is a magical and darkly funny book that the RSC has wanted to bring to life on stage for many years. I’m delighted – not least as the father of an eight-year-old girl – that Dahl’s classic tale will play in Stratford for a family audience to enjoy at Christmas. Dennis, Matthew and Tim bring a combination of creativity, wit and mischief to the production which will make the show an experience to remember. We’re very grateful to the Dahl Estate for allowing us to adapt the book.” Though an infrequent programming choice for the national company devoted to the bard’s work, the RSC has premiered several other non-Shakespeare-related musicals over the years including, most famously, Les Miserables as well as The Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden and, less successfully, Carrie and A Clockwork Orange. - by Terri Paddock Related Content| Internal Links |  | Matilda on Broadway wins five Drama Desk Awards - 20th May 2013 news |  | Exclusive Video: Matilda's Bertie Carvel 'interviews' Tim Minchin at Drama Desk Awards - 10th May 2013 tv |  | Matilda the Musical & Kinky Boots lead Tony nominations - 30th Apr 2013 news |  | Review Round-up: Matilda storms Broadway - 15th Apr 2013 roundup |  | Photos: New production pics released for Matilda - 3rd Jan 2013 photos |  | Top Ten: London shows for half term - 23rd Oct 2012 features |  | Matilda releases 400k more tickets for Roald Dahl Day - 13th Sep 2012 news |  | RSC announces four new girls for West End Matilda - 9th Aug 2012 news |  | Matilda the Musical confirms Broadway transfer, opens March 2013 - 20th Jul 2012 news |  | Michael Boyd announces final RSC season, Ravenhill responds to Candide - 10th Jul 2012 news |  | David Leonard & Annette McLaughlin take over in Matilda - 1st Jun 2012 news |  | Matilda, Faust & Frayn triumph at South Bank Awards - 2nd May 2012 news |  | Matilda wins seven, One Man overlooked at 2012 Oliviers - 15th Apr 2012 news |  | Matilda, Guvnors & Constellations compete at South Bank Awards - 2nd Apr 2012 news |  | Bertie Carvel sets Matilda departure date, show extends - 28th Mar 2012 news |  | Matilda, Guvnors & Ladykillers lead the field at 2012 Oliviers - 15th Mar 2012 news |  | Sondheim sounds off - 5th Mar 2012 blog |  | RSC confirms plans to take WOS Award-winning Matilda to New York - 28th Feb 2012 news |  | Jo Caird: Why Can't We Resist Adaptations of Children's Classics? - 9th Jan 2012 blog |  | RSC Keeps Control of Matilda on Broadway??? - 9th Jan 2012 gossip |  | Matilda The Musical    - 25th Nov 2011 reviews |  | 1st Night Photos: RSC Matilda Swings into West End - 25th Nov 2011 photos |  | Review Round-up: Matilda is Top of the Class - 25th Nov 2011 roundup |  | Photos: 57th Evening Standard Awards Shortlist - 7th Nov 2011 photos |  | RSC Cancels First Five Previews of West End Matilda - 29th Sep 2011 news |  | Matilda & Girl Lead Theatre Awards UK Nominations - 29th Sep 2011 news |  | Photos: New RSC Matildas Fly into West End - 13th Sep 2011 news |  | Take Ten ... London Autumn Season Highlights - 13th Sep 2011 features |  | Cast Announced for West End Transfer of RSC Matilda - 23rd Aug 2011 news |  | Boss Blog: Theatre's Debt to Comedy - 11th Aug 2011 blog |  | Christie Brinkley Delays West End Debut in Chicago - 8th Jul 2011 news |  | Photos: First Peek at London Matilda's New Look - 19th May 2011 photos |  | RSC's Matilda Confirms London Opening, 22 Nov - 19th May 2011 news |  | Minchin's Matilda Comes to West End in Autumn - 31st Mar 2011 news |  | Will Minchin's Matilda Dream Come True??? - 13th Dec 2010 gossip |  | Matilda (RSC)     - 10th Dec 2010 reviews |  | Review Round-up: RSC Move Critics with Matilda - 10th Dec 2010 roundup |  | Tim Minchin: Why You Should Come & See ... Matilda, A Musical - 6th Dec 2010 interviews |  | Book 'Em: Cameron & Clegg Give RSC Recommendations??? - 28th Oct 2010 gossip |  | Musical Cast: Rhys Jones Oliver!, Matilda & Bells - 13th Sep 2010 news |  | RSC Sets Dates for Dahl’s Matilda Musical, 9 Nov - 24th Mar 2010 news |

Reader Comments
| Comment | Date | | Have the RSC not learned from Carrie?... Musicals about telekinesis aren't likely to work... - Erin | 01 Oct 09 |
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