The Royal Shakespeare Company are set to première a new musical based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel Matilda in late 2010. It will be one of the final productions at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Courtyard Theatre prior to the reopening of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2011 following a three-year £112.8 million renovation.

Matilda will have a book by playwright Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Australian comedian Tim Minchin and will be directed by Matthew Warchus.

In Matilda, as I’m sure many of our readers will know, the central character is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her parents but impresses her schoolteacher, Miss. Honey, with whom she forms a special bond.

Felicity Dahl, Roald Dahl’s widow, said yesterday; “I am thrilled that Matilda is becoming a reality on stage and that our partners at the RSC share this excitement. We are so proud that Roald’s stories continue to be met with such excitement and joy by children all over the world. And with this project, thousands more children will engage with his magical world yet again, but this time as a wonderful theatrical experience.”

Whilst RSC artistic director Michael Boyd commented: “Matilda is a magical and darkly funny book that the RSC has wanted to bring to life on stage for many years. I’m delighted – not least as the father of an eight-year-old girl – that Dahl’s classic tale will play in Stratford for a family audience to enjoy at Christmas. Dennis, Matthew and Tim bring a combination of creativity, wit and mischief to the production which will make the show an experience to remember. We’re very grateful to the Dahl Estate for allowing us to adapt the book.”