On Air Now

Just Great Music

1:00pm - 6:00pm

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

  • Principle Cast Announced for Sunny Afternoon at Stockton Globe

    Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions are delighted to announce principal casting for the 2025/2026 UK tour of the multi Olivier Award-winning hit musical SUNNY AFTERNOON coming to Stockton Globe on 14 April 2026.

  • Meet the Barnard Castle butcher saving lives as an on-call firefighter

    When Barnard Castle butcher Stuart McFarlane is not chopping up meat, he could be cutting up cars or putting out fires. That’s the double life of the dad-of-two, who as well as running McFarlane Family Butchers in the town, is also protecting the community he serves as an on-call firefighter.

  • Whats on in County Durham this weekend?

    Every week we work with Visit County Durham to discover what you can explore from your door. We collected the best walks, rides and attractions, as well as a selection of fantastic events that are happening over this weekend.

  • Fiddler On The Roof Cast Announced for Sunderland Run

    Following a triumphant win for Best Musical Revival at this year’s Olivier Awards – as well as Best Set Design and Best Sound Design – final casting is announced for the highly anticipated UK & Ireland tour of the critically acclaimed production of Fiddler on the Roof. This celebrated revival, featuring a cast of exceptional performers, has captivated audiences and critics alike during its West End run. The tour will visit Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 November 2025.

  • Durham’s butterflies need help – will you join the butterfly rescue mission?

    Butterfly Conservation has launched a nationwide rescue mission for the UK’s butterflies and needs the people of Durham to get involved! Last summer, Durham’s butterflies sent an urgent SOS through Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count, with citizen scientists in Durham spotting only 7,360 butterflies and day-flying moths during the three-week period.

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

  • Just Great Music

    1:00pm - 6:00pm

    Just great music from the past five decades

  • Just Great Hits

    6:00pm - 8:00pm

    Just Great Hits from the past five decades

  • 80's Mixtape with Mark Robert Petty

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    Join Mark for a trip back to the 1980's

  • Just Great Hits

    10:00pm - 11:00pm

    Just Great Hits from the past five decades