Matilda UK tour's Craige Els: a week in the life

Craige Els stars as the malevolent Miss Trunchbull in the new UK tour of Matilda, which opens next week in Leicester before visiting venues across the UK. We asked Els to give us a "naughty" look backstage at the show, as the production prepares to open next week.

Els said: "In our final tech week here at Curve Theatre in Leicester – what a wonderful venue to be opening the tour! Just putting the finishing touches in place before public performances next week.

"All tired from the long hours, but loving the process – and looking forward to our first audience!"

Get the Trunchbull look

CE: "Bit of hairspray does the trick."

The key to the costume

CE: "Strange garb!"

Ribbons for a principal

CE: "Those essential little bits!"

Homes for The Hammer

CE: "Home sweet home."

Ready to crush rebellions

CE: "Off on the long walk to the stage."

Clocking off

CE: "The end of a long tech day…"

Matilda the Musical runs at Leicester Curve from 5 March and then tours the UK and Ireland. The show is currently booking at the Cambridge Theatre in London until 27 May 2018.