Matilda to make North East de but at Empire
West End hit Matilda will be performed at Sunderland Empire as part of its first-ever UK tour, the Echo can reveal.
The multi award-winning musical will br in gRoaldDahl’ s beloved tale to life at the Wear sidevenue for its NorthEast de but for four weeks from May 8 to June 2 next year.
In a theatrical coup for the Empire, it will be only the third venue on the UK and Ireland tour, and is the latest success story for the venue, which has also hosted the regional debuts of Lion King, War Horse and Billy Elliot.
The High Street West theatre is one of only 13 in the country capable of hosting the large-scale show, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
With book by Dennis Kelly, original songs by Tim Minchin and direction by Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinarylittle girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Speaking to the Echo, executive producer André Ptaszynski said the tour will be the same as the West End version, running at The Cambridge Theatre, the only slight difference being that the classroom desks won’t be built into the stage.
Explaining the music al’ s appeal, he said :“Every audience loves that it’s dark and funny. But it’ s dark and funny while also making you really feel something.
“You’re taken on this girl’s journey, and the ending is a moment full of completion for the audience.”
Theteambehind the musical worked closely withthe Roald Dahl Estate for the theatrical version of the children’s classic, which was first published in 1988. Writer Dennis Kelly said: “I met with his widow and showed her the script and the first thing she said was that she loved Rudolpho, who is an added character. “She also told me that I was to remember that Miss Trunchbull is a murderer. At first I was having a bit too much fun with her and making her too funny.”
He added: “But you can’t write with too much responsibility, because that’s not how Dahl would write, he wrote with relish because he loved burps and mud.”
Sunderland Empire general manager Ben Phillips said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Royal Shakespeare Company will be bringing their multi award-winning production Matilda the Musical to us in May 2018, for the only North East dates on their UK tour.
“Audiences will be left mesmerised by this deliciously exhilarating and ingenious production of Roald Dahl’s classic book during the limited four-week engagement. Early booking is highly recommended.”
Tickets for Matilda the Musical at Sunderland Empire go on sale from Wednesday, April 19 to Theatre Card and Groups and on general sale from Wednesday, April 26. Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022 or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland
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To read a review of the West End Matilda, visit www.sunderlandecho.com or see Thursday’s Guide.