Matilda announces new West End cast!

Ahead of celebrations for its fifth birthday in the West End this autumn, Matilda has announced its new cast.

Sara Sheen and Abbie Vena will join Zaris-Angel Hator and Clara Read in the title role from 13th September 2016.

Tickets for the new booking period, which includes performances at the Cambridge theatre between 30th May and 15th October 2017, will go on sale on the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth, 13th September.

Craige Els will continue as Miss Trunchbull, having joined the cast in September 2014. Also remaining in the company are Michael Begley as Mr Wormwood, Miria Parvin as Miss Honey and Rebecca Thornhill who plays Mrs Wormwood.

Matilda announces Broadway closure

It has been announced that the Broadway production of Matilda will close next year.

Based on the beloved Roald Dahl novel, the musical will close at the Shubert Theatre on 1st January 2017 after 37 previews and 1,555 regular performances.

Matilda opened in the West End in 2011 before transferring to Broadway in 2013. The show will continue to run in London at the Cambridge Theatre.

Directed by Matthew Warchus, Matilda has book by Dennis Kelly and music & lyrics by Tim Minchin.

Sneak peek at... Matilda's new West End cast

Producers of Matilda The Musical have released production images featuring the new West End cast who joined the show last month. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Evie Hone and Lizzie Wells have joined Anna-Louise Knight and Lara McDonnell in the title role, alongside Michael Begley (Mr Wormwood), Miria Parvin (Miss Honey) and Rebecca Thornhill (Mrs Wormwood). Craige Els continues as Miss Trunchbull. 

Matilda The Musical celebrates its 4th birthday this Sunday (25th October). The show is currently booking at the West End's Cambridge Theatre until 18th December 2016. Matilda The Musical has now received 50 awards in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and New York, and has been seen by over three million people worldwide. 

GOSSIP: Filming for screen adaptation of Matilda The Musical to begin next year?

It has been revealed that director Matthew Warchus is already in pre-production for a film adaptation of Matilda The Musical. 

The Sydney Morning Herald have reported that the movie is "likely" to begin filming in late 2016! Book writer Dennis Kelly is adapting the show for the big screen. 

The Royal Shakespeare Company's musical premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010 before transferring to the West End where it picked up a record breaking seven Olivier Awards. The musical later opened on Broadway in 2013, winning four Tony Awards.

Matilda announces new West End cast

Matilda The Musical has announced its new West End cast.

Evie Hone and Lizzie Wells will join Anna-Louise Knight and Lara McDonnell in the title role from Tuesday 15th September 2015.

Joining them will be: Michael Begley (Mr Wormwood), Miria Parvin (Miss Honey) and Rebecca Thornhill (Mrs Wormwood). Craige Els will continue in the role of Miss Trunchbull.

The adult cast is completed by: Fabian Aloise, Robbie Boyle, John Brannoch, Oliver Brooks, Jonathan Cordin, Olly Dobson, Demi Goodman, Elliot Harper, Will Hawksworth, Kate Kenrick, Rachel Moran, Tom Muggeridge, Matt Serafini, Biancha Szynal, Charlotte Scott, Laura Tyrer and Sharlene Whyte.

Matilda announces second relaxed performance

Following the sold-out success of the first relaxed performance of Matilda The Musical in 2014, the Royal Shakespeare Company will present a second relaxed performance at the Cambridge Theatre on Sunday 14th June at 3pm. 

This forthcoming performance of Matilda The Musical will be the fifth relaxed performance that the Royal Shakespeare Company has staged to date across their projects. The National Autistic Society and Mousetrap Theatre Projects will again work closely with the RSC offering full access to the theatre for people with autism and learning disabilities.

This performance of Matilda The Musical builds on the programme of relaxed performances that the RSC has been running in Stratford-upon-Avon since 2013, when it was amongst the first to adopt and promote the concept. The performance provides a relaxed environment, with elements of the production adapted to reduce anxiety or stress.

West End production of Matilda confirms details of Children in Need gala

It has been announced that the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical will hold a special gala performance in aid of BBC Children in Need on Tuesday 4th November 2014. 

The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Sir Terry Wogan with a special appearance from the charity’s mascot, Pudsey. BBC Radio 2 presenters and celebrities will be in attendance alongside members of the public. At least 50% of the proceeds from this performance will benefit the BBC Children in Need Appeal, and its work with disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Matilda confirms new West End cast

It has been announced that Craige Els (pictured right) will join the West End company of Matilda as Miss Trunchbull from September.

He will star alongside James Clyde (Mr Wormwood), Haley Flaherty (Miss Honey) and Kay Murphy (Mrs Wormwood). West End Frame's Understudy of the Year nominee Lara Denning will play the role of Miss Honey from Monday 29th September until Sunday 26th October.

Matilda Shapland and Violet Tucker will join Tasha Chapple and Lottie Sicilia in the title role from September.

The new adult cast includes: Lucy Jane Adcock, Fabian Aloise, Ashley Cooper, Jonathan Cordin, Ashleigh Drew, Nicholas Duncan, Demi Goodman, William Kenning, Antony Lawrence, Max Parker, Lisa Davina Phillip, Charlotte Scott, Tommy Sherlock, Hollie Taylor, Amy Thornton, Jason Winter and Joshua Wyatt. 

Matilda extends booking period to May 2015

The West End production of Matilda The Musical has extended its booking period at the Cambridge Theatre to Sunday 24th May 2015. 

Over one million people have seen the Royal Shakespeare Company's production since it opened at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010. After winning a record-breaking seven awards at the 2012 Laurence Olivier Awards, Matilda  transferred to Broadway's Shubert Theatre, winning four Tony Awards. The show has now received a total of 49 awards in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and New York.

Casts of Matilda, Spamalot & The Commitments to perform during Children In Need tonight!

The West End casts of Matilda The Musical, Spamalot and The Commitments will perform during Children in Need's 2013 Appeal Night which is broadcast tonight (15th November 2013) from 7:30pm on BBC One. Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Zoe Ball and Nick Grimshaw will play host to some of the biggest names in music, comedy and entertainment including: One Direction, Doctor Who, Harry Hill, and cast of Call The Midwife. 

British sporting legends Torvill & Dean will perform in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom whilst the cast of EastEnders will put on a special performance featuring a plethora of dance styles from Bollywood to ballroom, live in Albert Square. Since 1980 Children in Need, the BBC’s UK charity, has raised over £600 million to change the lives of disadvantaged and young people across the UK. Click here to donate.

Review: Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre

Matilda The Musical

Cambridge Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 26th October 2013

Take one of the most well known children's stories of all time, add in the stunning book by Dennis Kelly and the lyrical genius of Aussie comic Tim Minchin and one of the most versatile companies currently in the West End - and what do you get?

Matilda extends to December 2014

It has been announced that the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical has extended its West End run at the Cambridge Theatre until 31st December 2014, with over 300,000 tickets going on sale.

Over one million people have seen Matilda since it opened at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon Avon in November 2010. The West End production has won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards while the Broadway production recently won four Tony Awards.

Alex Gaumond recently joined the cast as Miss Trunchbull. He is joined by James Clyde and Kay Murphy as Mr and Mrs Wormwood and Haley Flaherty who continues in the role of Miss Honey. 

The current adult cast includes: Fabian Aloise, Joseph Davenport, Mike Denman, Lara Denning, Juliet Gough, Madeleine Harland, Antony Lawrence, Joshua Lay, Katie Lee, Antonio Magro, Gary Murphy, Lisa Davina Phillip, David Rudin, Tommy Sherlock, Hollie Taylor, Amy Thornton and Joshua Wyatt.

Alex Gaumond & Kay Murphy joining the West End production of Matilda!

It has been announced that Olivier Award nominated Canadian actor Alex Gaumond will join the cast of the Royal Shakespeare Company's critically acclaimed production of Matilda The Musical to play Miss Trunchbull.

Kay Murphy will also join the cast to play Mrs Wormwood from 3rd September 2013. Haley Flaherty will continue in the role of Miss Honey until 7th September 2014. Further casting will be announced soon.

Matilda recently transferred to Broadway and last night collected the awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Gabriel Ebert as Mr Wormwood), Best Book of a Musical (Dennis Kelly), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Rob Howell) and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Hugh Vanstone) at the Tony Awards.

Matilda extends booking to December 2013

From 11am tomorrow, 400,000 tickets will go on sale for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical. The record-breaking production, now booking through until 22 December next year, continues to play to packed houses at London’s Cambridge Theatre.

Tomorrow, 13 September 2012, marks the seventh annual Roald Dahl Day – on what would have been the great man’s birthday.Roald Dahl Day is a celebration of the work, life and diverse legacy of one of the world’s best-loved storytellers.

Everything you need to know about West End Live 2012

This years West End Live will take place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of June. As usual all the top West End Musicals will be performing including the casts of Top Hat, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Sweeney Todd, Singin' In The Rain, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Mis, Ghost, We Will Rock You, Shrek, Matilda and Blood Brothers just to name a few.

Presented by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre in association with MasterCard, West End LIVE showcases the quality and diversity of entertainment on offer in the heart of London, promoting the West End as an exciting venue for all the family – all live, all for free in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square.

As well as featuring showcase performances from every West End musical there will also be performances from live bands and a wonderful array of interactive exhibits from many of London’s top museums, galleries and cultural institutions – West End LIVE is a unique event that has grown to become a hugely popular fixture in London’s entertainment calendar .

Where: Trafalgar Square
When: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June
Cost: Free Entry
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square/Charing Cross/Embankment

There will also be exciting performances from West End Stars who are currently promoting new albums and singles. Louise Dearman will be performing songs from her latest album 'Here Comes The Sun' which we recently reviewed, giving a 5 star rating. Mark Evans will be performing songs from the upcoming English version of his debut album 'The Journey Home'. They will be joined by Alex Gaumond who will perform his new single entitled 'Here I Am'

Finally there will also be special performances from the new concept musical 'The In-Bewtween'. Perfoming the new music from this show are West End Stars Sabrina Aloueche, Hannah Jane Fox, Scott Garnham and Lauren Samuels. Click here to read our full article about The In-Between's performances at West End Live.

Here is the full schedule for West End Live 2012. For more information visit http://www.westendlive.co.uk/

Olivier Awards: My Review 2012

So last Sunday 15th April saw the 36th annual Olivier Awards... debatably the biggest night of the year in theatre land... and what a night it was! I have to say I loved it, apart from the dodgy technical issues with the red button coverage which I found very frustrating. So the event was opened with the cast of We Will Rock You with the legend that is Brian May! I thought the performance was great and loved the chemistry between Lauren Samuels and Noel Sullivan. However I didn't think Noel's voice was as strong, although I cannot really judge as I haven't seen him live.

When Sheridan Smith won best supporting role in a play I couldn't help but give her a little clap from my living room (how sad). She thoroughly deserved that award as her performance in Flare Path was incredible. When Crazy For You won Best Costume Designer I loved  Peter McKintosh's face, it was hilarious!

Amazing performance from Sharon D Clarke sining 'I'm Outta Hear' from Ghost the Musical. It was great to hear her adding in a few extra rifts and enjoying herself so much. I also loved how the cameras kept showing her reactions throughout the event, she comes across as a genuinely nice, hilarious person. 


The incredible performances just kept on coming, it was lovely to see all the Matilda's performing together. There confidence is just incredible, looks like they have been doing it for years! I am really eager to see the show now. It was also strange to see Betty Blue Eyes perform after it closed quite a while ago however I have to sat it was an incredible performance and made me want to see it! What a shame it's gone.


It was great to be able to watch the performances from the Covent Garden event during the interval. It was amazing to watch Rachel Tucker perform the Wizard And I, her betrayal is just so fresh! She truely is an incredible actress and definitely deserved to win our 'Best Performance Of A Song' poll last month. I liked watching her putting her all into the song as it is one she normally holds back on. Her 'melt' rift gave me goosebumps. It was great to catch a glimpse of Nicola Brazil performing with Jersey Boys and I think Ryan Collinson is the best Billy Elliot I have ever seen perform Electricity - and I have seen a lot! It was also the first time I have ever scene a person translating the performances in sign language at a live music event!


Les Miserables winning the the audience award was well deserved although I was slightly surprised as I did think Wicked would win as they have such a massive fan base! Seeing their performance has really made me want to see the show again, before the film is released and it is impossible to get tickets. Derren Brown was very humble to win best entertainment show, and it looked like he felt really out of place.

I loved Crazy For You's performance, they had such a massive cast who put on such a massive performance! I also loved Singing In The Rain's performance of  'Good Morning' which was the complete opposite! I love that old fashioned comedy style of musical theatre. Sophie Evans's performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow was completely perfect. I saw her play Dorothy while she was understudying the role and it is great she has now taken over full time.


South Pacific's performance was OK but was slightly ruined by the fact half the microphones weren't working. Will Young's story completely flopped when he presented an award. It was a shame Sharon D Clark, Sophie-Louise Dann AND Nigel Harmon couldn't all have won Best Performance In A Supporting Role In A Musical. I like how the category is both male and female. I also thought it was a shame some audience members could be seen rolling their eyes when Shrek won an Olivier, I bet they haven't even seen the show.

I also think it was ridiculous Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy weren't nominated in the best actor and actress in a musical categories. Matilda deserved every single one of it's awards and the Matilda's acceptance speech was so cute, not going to lie, my eyes did fill up with water.

I didn't like the performance of I Know Him So Well however Elaine Paige's performance of Don't Cry For Me Argentina was genuinely amazing. She acted and meant every single work she sung - simply incredible. The Olivier's was a massive success, and apart from Ghost not winning anything I thought all the winners well deserving.

OLIVIER AWARDS: Click here to view the winners list
OLIVIER AWARDS: Click here to refresh your memory of who was nominated

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I hope you are liking the new layout and sorry that it took me a while to write this review, I've had a very busy week. Would love you to comment with your views and opinions on the Olivier awards!

Olivier Awards: The Winners List 2012

The Matilda's after winning Best Actress in a Musical

Mastercard best new play

Collaborators at the Cottesloe

Best revival

Anna Christie at the Donmar Warehouse

Best entertainment and family

Derren Brown – Svengali at the Shaftesbury

Best actress

Ruth Wilson for Anna Christie at the Donmar Warehouse

Best actor

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller for Frankenstein at the Olivier

Best performance in a supporting role

Sheridan Smith for Flare Path at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket

Best actress in a musical

The Matildas for Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge (Cleo Demetriou, Kerry Ingram, Sophia Kiely and Eleanor Worthington Cox)

Best actor in a musical

Bertie Carvel for Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge

Best performance in a supporting role in a musical

Nigel Harman for Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Best new musical

Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge

Best musical revival

Crazy for You at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Best director

Matthew Warchus for Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge

Best theatre choreographer

Peter Darling for Matilda the Musical at the Cambridge

Best lighting design

Frankenstein, designed by Bruno Poet at the Olivier

XL Video award for best set design

Matilda the Musical, designed by Rob Howell at the Cambridge

Best costume design

Crazy for You, designed by Peter McKintosh at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Best sound design

Matilda the Musical, designed by Simon Baker at the Cambridge

Outstanding achievement in an affiliate theatre

Theatre Royal, Stratford East in association with the Barbican and Traverse Theatre for Roadkill

Best new opera production

English National Opera's Castor and Pollux at the London Coliseum

Outstanding achievement in opera

ENO, for the breadth and diversity of its artistic programme

Outstanding achievement in dance

Edward Watson for his performance in The Metamorphosis at the Linbury Studio at the Royal Opera House

Best new dance production

Desh by Akram Khan Company at Sadler's Wells, choreographed by Akram Khan

BBC Radio 2 Olivier audience award

Les Misérables

What's On Stage Awards 2012 - My Views

So, as many of you west end theatre fans will know, a week ago today (Sunday 19 February 2012) the 'Whats On Stage' Awards 2012 took place at the Prince of Wales Theatre. This was the first year that the show was broadcast online so, throughout the evening I dipped in and out of the broadcast. I thought that it was excellent that you could watch it online, this follows in the footsteps of the Laurence Olivier Awards which last year could be seen by pressing the red button. However I did feel the coverage wasn't brilliant and the presenter (not quite sure who he has) seemed a little bit lost throughout the interviews however I did feel sorry as nobody seemed to actually answer the questions being asked.

Anyway, the voting statistics and acceptance speeches have been published on Whats On Stage and can be viewed by clicking here. 

Cassie Levy with Richard Fleeshman
(winner of 'Best Actor In A Musical')

I was very happy at Ghost picking up more technical awards for Set Design and Lighting Design as technically  I think it is the bets show I have ever seen. However thing I loved most about Ghost is the way one seconds all these special effects would be used and you would be sitting there going 'wow this looks amazing' and then suddenly the next Cassie Levy just sat on the floor, leaning on a sofa and sung arguably one of the most beautiful songs of a new musical. For that reason I think it was a great shame she was overlooked in the Best Actress In A Musical award. I saw Cassie in her last performance in the west end, before leaving to Broadway and there is something about her voice, when you here it live that is just amazing. In Rain/Hold on she hit the most incredible notes and I am sure she will do amazing in Broadway and I'm sure she will pick up more awards. Richard Fleeshman must have been happy to get his hard eared award for best actor in a play, especially as he flew back from Broadway, especially for the awards! Also do not be mistaken and think I am saying Amanda Holden didn't deserve her award as despite what some critics and theatre fans said i thought she actually was very good in Shrek. She owned the stage and led the cast which is something missing from the show now that she has gone, like when Sheridan Smith left Legally Blonde.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's
reaction to his award...

I thought it was great Hannah Waddingham won best supporting actress for a musical as I thought she was great in the wizard of oz. I really like what Andrew Lloyd Webber did with the show and I think it transformed the Wicked Witch into a much better, more exciting part so she has much to thank Webber for! For that reason I also think it was right The Wizard Of Oz won best revival. 

Nigel Harmen finishes in Shrek The Musical tomorrow night, Neil McDermott must be feeling very nervous today as he has a very tough act to follow! Nigel is hilarious as Lord Farquaad and rightly won Best Supporting Actor In A Musical. Another show winning three awards was Matilda, this only makes me want to see it more as I have only heard amazing things about it! I've got the soundtrack which is slowly growing on me and I will be sure to write a full review after I see it in the coming months. Another show that I have yet to see that did well was One Man, Two Guvnors, I think I am going to wait until it is at The Royal Haymarket as it is my favourite theatre.

Susan McFadden with the
cast of Legally Blonde

...and finally Best Takeover Of A Role must have been one of the toughest categories at this years awards  with, in my opinion, all nominees deserving to win. Although I did think it was a shame Susan McFadden didn't win as she is one of the most underrated actresses in the West End and had one of the hardest jobs in the world, taking over from Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde - I wouldn't want to have been in her shoes! Despite having a short run I thought, vocally, she is the strongest Elle there has been and it is a shame she didn't get any recognition for her hard work and talent.


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So - that is my first review done!! I'm exhausted! Hope you didn't find that boring and completely pointless. I have begun work on a review of Legally Blonde and I have written a mini article for the cast members leaving Shrek The Musical to be posted tomorrow... until then... thanks for reading!