Smash hit show Matilda the Musical will return to Southampton in 2026, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal. 

The Royal Shakespeare Company's celebrated production, based on Roald Dahl's beloved book, includes Mayflower Theatre dates from April 29 to May 17 on its upcoming tour of the UK and Ireland. 

Priority booking to members is available from Thursday March 27 and goes on general sale from Wednesday April 2.

(Image: Ellie Kurttz) READ MORE: Our review of Only Fools and Horses on stage in Southampton

Internationally renowned musical Matilda 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 was another huge hit.

Writer Dennis Kelly said: "It’s great to get the chance to bring this little girl’s story to people in their home cities and towns, and to all those theatres where theatre really matters."

(Image: Manuel Harlan) Composer and lyricist Tim Minchin added: "When we first started working on the show, our aim was to make a lovely little jewel of a musical for the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. We never imagined that all these years later it would still be running in the West End, have been made into a film, and is now about to embark on its second tour of the UK and Ireland. I’m deeply proud of Matilda The Musical, and every single talented person who continues to work on it with passion and enthusiasm."

Matilda is an extraordinary girl, who armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.

The production visited Mayflower Theatre during it first UK and Ireland tour in the summer of 2019, wowing packed audiences and being described by our reviewer as 'joyous and gleeful, yet nasty and dark, perfectly capturing the essence of Roald Dahl's novel.'

Casting and further tour dates will be announced soon. 

Tickets from mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.

(Image: Manuel Harlan)