Matilda The Musical

The multi-award-winning musical (it has won more than 99 international awards) inspired by the Roald Dahl book touches down in Dubai for what has to be one of the highlights of the season. As the New York Post put it, “Once in a blue moon, a show comes out blazing and restores your faith in broadway. Matilda the Musical is that show”.

The script by Tony Award-winning playwright Dennis Kelly is excellent, sticking close enough to the original but making the most of the live-action theatricality of the stage; Tim Minchin’s original songs are terrific, mixing wit with sing-along choruses. And it’s a Royal Shakespeare Company production, which is itself an assurance of quality and professionalism. The premium ticket price should be worth it …

Matilda The Musical is directed by Matthew Warchus. Sets and costumes are by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling. All three are also Tony winners, along with the lighting director Hugh Vanstone. Matilda the Musical plays daily at 8pm between 3 and 7 October, with a 7.30pm show on 8 October; there are also 2pm matinées on 7 and 8 October, though we understand these are now sold out (as ever, there may be returns). The cast take a break on 9 October and performances resume on 10 to 15 October.