Matilda welcomes Craige Els as Miss Trunchbull from Sep

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Matilda the Musical will welcome a new Miss Trunchbull to replace Alex Gaumond from Sep 2014 in the form of Craige Els.

Mr Els has many theatre credits to his name, both in plays and musicals, including the National Theatre's productions of 'Timon of Athens', 'Antigone' and 'The Cherry Orchard', 'Mamma Mia!', 'Never Forget' and 'Spamalot' in the West End, 'The New Yorkers' at Salder's Wells, and 'Oklahoma!' at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Screen credits include 'Ripper Street', 'The Bletchley Circle' and 'Call The Midwife'.

Also from Sep 2014, Matilda Shapland and Violet Tucker will join Tasha Chapple and Lottie Sicilia to play the title role of Matilda.

Synopsis: 'The musical centres on Matilda, a precocious 5-year-old girl who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life.'

Matilda the Musical swept the boards at the 2012 Laurence Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking seven awards. The Broadway production won four Tony Awards® along with a Tony Honor for Excellence for each of the four girls sharing the title role. The musical has now received a total of 50 awards in Stratford-upon-Avon, London and New York. In Aug 2015, the Australian Premiere will take place at Sydney's Lyric Theatre.

The London production opened on 24 November 2011, following previews from 25 October. It celebrated its 1000th performance on 23 March 2014 and has been seen now by almost 1.5 million people.

Matilda the Musical is written by playwright Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. It is directed by Matthew Warchus and features design by Rob Howell, choreography by Peter Darling, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.