On Air Now

Durham Breakfast - With Sam

7:00am - 10:00am

Sunderland cast of Matilda The Musical Announced

Casting has been announced for the upcoming tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical, which this year celebrates 15 years on stage. The highly acclaimed musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, visits Sunderland Empire from Wednesday 11 – Saturday 28 February 2026.

Madison DavisMollie HuttonOlivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara will share the title role of Matilda.

 

Richard Hurst will play Miss Trunchbull, Tessa Kadler will play Miss Honey, Adam Stafford will play Mr Wormwood and Rebecca Thornhill will play Mrs Wormwood.

 

They are joined by Scotty ArmstrongSam HoldenPortia JefferiesCaiomhe JuddBrooke KellyRyan LayCassandra LeeSamuel LeonJordan Maisuria-WakeNicole ManumbreLizzie NanceEsther NilesJordan RickettsJosh SingletonBradley TrevethanElla TweedBen Tyler and Karen Walker.

 

The other young performers announced today are: Rudy BraggJacob Connor-AshtonCharlie Cox, Sylvie Grace, Rose Jammeh, Dottie Jones, Takunda Khumalo, Sana Lennon, Oisin-Luca Pegg, Millie-May Mankowska, Tate Masuku, Leo Maurice, Carter-J Murphy, Jaxon James Nolan, Cole Nicholson, Pixie Pettigrew, Brodie Robson, Haiden Sihapanya and Felix Schmitt.

 

Tim Minchin, who wrote the music and lyrics for the musical, made a surprise visit to the rehearsal room this week to meet the young tour cast. Photographs of Tim with the young performers by Phil Tragen can be downloaded here.

 

Photos of adult UK and Ireland cast can be downloaded here and their biographies are here.

 

The internationally renowned musical continues to play to packed houses in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre and has been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities around the world.

 

This anarchic production, about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination, has won over 100 global awards, including 24 for Best Musical.  A film adaptation made by the core creative team received its World Premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2022 and can now be watched on Netflix.

 

Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.

 

Matilda The Musical will hit Sunderland Empire’s stage from Wednesday 11 – Saturday 28 February 2026. Tickets available online now at ATGTickets.com/ Sunderland *

* A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.

More from From Durham OnAir

Listen on the Go

Listen on the go or at home with our free smart phone app for iOS and Android devices!

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play
  • Just ask Amazon Alexa

OnAir Today

  • Durham Breakfast - With Sam

    7:00am - 10:00am

    Just Great Music, Only Connect, The 90's at 9, great guests all the latest from across County Durham and the North East!

  • The More Music Workday

    10:00am - 1:00pm

    Full productivity vibes! Just Great Music with less interruptions than anywhere else! Get your favourite workplace tunes On Air. Send us a Whatsapp through the free Durham OnAir App!

  • Durham Decades - 80's

    1:00pm - 2:00pm

    Non-Stop music from the 1980's

  • Afternoons with Joe

    2:00pm - 5:00pm

    Joe Purcel plays Just Great Music and brings you weird and wonderful stories.