Football wasn’t the only thing coming home this week as Matilda The Musical returned to the Midlands for the first time since creation in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The multi-award winning show had its world premiere at the RSC’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011 where it continues to play today.

To mark the show’s official arrival at Birmingham Hippodrome, Lara Cohen – one of the four actresses who share the role of Matilda on UK and Ireland tour – took time away from Crunchem Hall to pay homage to Wall Street’s ‘Fearless Girl’ by posing alongside Birmingham’s very own ‘Bullring Bull’; an iconic symbol of the city much-loved by residents and visitors alike.

Winner of over 85 international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, the Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland Tour opened to rave reviews on the 15 March 2018 at Leicester Curve. Currently at Birmingham Hippodrome (3 July – 8 September 2018), the following tour dates are Manchester Palace (18 September – 24 November 2018), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (4 December – 12 January 2019), Theatre Royal Plymouth (15 January – 16 February 2019), the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (19 February – 23 March 2019), Edinburgh Playhouse (2 – 27 April 2019), The Bristol Hippodrome (7 May – 8 June 2019), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (11 June – 6 July 2019) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 July – 17 August 2019). The West End production will continue to play at the Cambridge Theatre, where it is now in its seventh year and is booking until 20 October 2019. The adult cast for the UK and Ireland Tour will see Craige Els reprise the role of Miss Trunchbull, having played her in the West End for three years between 2014 and 2017. He will be joined by Carly Thoms as Miss Honey, and Sebastien Torkia and Rebecca Thornhill as Mr and Mrs Wormwood.

The title role of Matilda will be shared by Annalise Bradbury, Lara Cohen, Poppy Jones and Nicola Turner.

Matilda The Musical runs until Sat 8 Sep with tickets still available via our website.