As it enters its 15th year in the West End, we look back on the record-breaking success of Matilda The Musical and explore what it is that continues to appeal to audiences year on year.
Since premiering in London in 2011, Matilda The Musical has been performed in over 100 cities worldwide, been seen by 12 million people and earned 101 awards to date, including 25 for Best Musical. It even set (and still jointly holds) the record for a number of Olivier Awards won by a single musical, winning seven in 2012.
And having seen the musical recently, I can absolutely see what all the fuss was, and is still, about. Audiences continue to be transported to the world of Matilda Wormwood, a young girl who refuses to let being little stop her from being heard, who stands up for what’s right in the face of everything that’s wrong, and who proves that imagination can be the most powerful tool in the world.
The 15th anniversary makes it the West End’s tenth longest running musical, and with inspiring life lessons wrapped up in catchy songs and performed by a stellar cast, it’s not hard to see why it has resonated with audiences of all ages, time and time again.
The story follows whip-smart Matilda as she navigates starting school, making friends and coping with her horrible family. Standing up to her parents is one thing, but terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull and the ever-imposing threat of being thrown in the chokey doesn’t hold her back from defending what’s right and fair.
Based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, the story was adapted as a musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company and writer Dennis Kelly with original songs by Tim Minchin. It first debuted in 2010 at the RSC Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon before moving to London’s Cambridge Theatre in 2011, where it has been ever since.
Over 15 years the production has seen numerous casts, and the most recent quartet to share the lead role are Sithuni Gamage, Bonnie Harper, Carla Lopez-Corpas and Emilia Shefford.
Neil McDermott (EastEnders, Casualty, Doctor Who) currently plays dodgy car salesman Mr Wormwood alongside Tiffany Graves (Chicago, We Will Rock You UK tour) as salsa-obsessed Mrs Wormwood and Jon Robyns (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Hamilton) as the equally terrifying and hilarious Miss Trunchbull.
In 2022, a Netflix film adaptation of the musical saw Emma Thompson take on the role of Miss Trunchbull alongside Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey and Irish actress Alisha Weir as Matilda.
With inspiring life lessons wrapped up in catchy songs and performed by a stellar cast, it’s not hard to see why it has resonated with audiences of all ages, time and time again.
The talented West End cast deliver sharp dialogue, songs and complex choreography with infectious charm and attitude, while clever staging seamlessly transforms the stage from the Wormwood residence to the library, from the dark and dreary school to the farm shed Miss Honey calls home.
Small details bring Matilda’s world to life, including the real hot tea shared by Matilda and Miss Honey during My House and the school badges designed by Quentin Blake, Roald Dahl’s long-time collaborator and original illustrator of Matilda. As for Bruce Bogtrotter’s big moment, the show gets through 100 tubs of chocolate spread each year to make it as realistic as possible.
Tim Minchin’s original songs are ear-worms to say the least. They perfectly express the highs and lows that Matilda and her co-hort go through, from the heartbreaking Miracle that opens the show and sets the tone for Matilda’s troubled home life to the cheeky and emboldening Naughty that defines her rebellious character.
Alongside the 15-year residency at the Cambridge Theatre, the show has embarked on two UK and Ireland tours, several international tours including Australia/New Zealand, Asia and the USA, and spent almost four years on Broadway.
A major UK and Ireland tour began in Leicester in October 2025 to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the show’s debut in Stratford-upon-Avon and is running through to January 2027.
The show boldly delivers powerful messages of strength and courage without ever feeling overly earnest. It’s impossible to resist the uplifting energy that comes from the riotous anarchy, heroism and laugh-out-loud humour that runs throughout.
Heartwarming, gut-wrenching and tremendously funny; a difficult balance to find, but Matilda The Musical has mastered it. Here’s to the next 15 years.
Matilda The Musical is currently booking in the West End until January 2027. Groups of over six can get reduced rates on Tuesday-Friday performances, including weekday matinees.
To book tickets visit: uk.matildathemusical.com/tickets.
