Matilda The Musical is returning to Melbourne, opening at the Princess Theatre in October 2027 — and the waitlist for priority tickets is open now. If your kids loved the book, the Netflix film, or the songs from the last tour, here’s what to expect and how to get in early.
Roald Dahl’s story of a small girl with a very big mind won over Australian families for two years straight last time it toured, and it’s coming home. The Royal Shakespeare Company production — the same one that’s been packing out London’s West End for over 15 years — opens in Melbourne before heading to Sydney and Brisbane. Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but the waitlist is, and given how quickly this show sold out last time, it’s worth getting your name down early. Here’s what we know so far, and what we’re still waiting to find out.
What Is Matilda The Musical About?
Matilda tells the story of a five-year-old girl with an extraordinary imagination and a talent for outsmarting the adults around her. Ignored by her parents and terrorised by her headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, Matilda finds an ally in her kind teacher, Miss Honey, and discovers she has a few surprising powers of her own.
It’s based on the Roald Dahl book many of us grew up with, with music and lyrics by Australian musician Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. Expect big group dance numbers, clever wordplay in the lyrics, and songs your kids will be singing in the car for weeks afterwards (ours still hum “Naughty” on high rotation).
When and Where Is It Showing?
The Melbourne season opens at the Princess Theatre in October 2027, before the production travels on to the Sydney Lyric and QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane. Exact dates, performance schedules and on-sale details haven’t been released yet — right now, all that’s open is the waitlist at matildathemusical.com.au.
We’ll update this guide the moment ticket prices, show times and booking details go live.
Why Melbourne Families Loved It Last Time
This isn’t Matilda’s first visit to Australia. The original national tour ran from 2015 to 2017, played to sold-out houses for more than two years, and was seen by over a million theatregoers. In 2016 it took home 13 Helpmann Awards, sweeping every musical category and becoming the most awarded musical in Australian theatre history.
Globally, the show has picked up more than 100 international awards (including around 25 for Best Musical) and is now the 10th longest-running musical in West End history. That’s a long track record for a show about a kid who loves books and hates injustice — which, if you ask us, is exactly why it resonates with families.
Is It Suitable for Young Kids?
Based on how the show has run internationally, Matilda The Musical is generally recommended for children aged six and up. Younger kids often struggle to sit through the full run time, and the show does include some genuinely scary moments — Miss Trunchbull is a proper villain, and there are scenes of children being bullied and punished that can unsettle sensitive kids.
International productions have run for around two and a half hours including an interval, with effects like flashing lights, loud sound and stage haze (smoke). None of this is confirmed for the Melbourne season yet, but it’s a reasonable guide for what to expect until Marriner Group or the local producers release specific guidance.
If your child is desperate to see Matilda but you’re not sure they’re ready for the theatre yet, the 2022 Netflix film version (with the same creative team) is a good way to test the waters at home first.
What Parents Need to Know
A few practical things worth keeping in mind as you plan:
- Tickets: Not yet on sale. Join the official waitlist for priority access and on-sale alerts.
- Venue: Princess Theatre, Spring Street, Melbourne — a heritage theatre in the CBD, an easy tram ride from most inner-Melbourne suburbs.
- Age guidance: Likely 6+, based on how the show has run elsewhere, but not yet confirmed for this season.
- Running time: Around two and a half hours with an interval in other productions — plan for a late finish if you’re booking an evening show with younger kids.
- Booking ahead: This tour sold out for two years running last time. If your family is keen, get on the waitlist rather than waiting for opening night.
Our Take: Is It Worth Planning For?
We think so — with a caveat. Matilda has staying power as family theatre; it’s funny, it’s a little bit subversive, and it treats kids as smart enough to follow a properly plotted story. For families with kids aged six and up who already love the book or the film, this is shaping up to be a highlight of the Melbourne theatre calendar in 2027.
The caveat: with the show over a year away, there’s a lot we still don’t know — ticket prices, exact dates, and whether there’ll be relaxed or sensory-friendly performances for kids who need them. Our advice is to join the waitlist now so you’re not scrambling when tickets do go live, then check back closer to the date for the practical details that’ll actually shape your visit.
FAQs
When does Matilda The Musical open in Melbourne? The show opens at the Princess Theatre in October 2027. An exact opening date hasn’t been announced.
How do I get tickets? Tickets aren’t on sale yet. You can join the waitlist at matildathemusical.com.au for priority booking access and on-sale updates.
What age is Matilda The Musical suitable for? Other productions of the show recommend it for children aged six and up, largely due to its length and some intense scenes involving a frightening headmistress character. Melbourne-specific age guidance hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Is Matilda The Musical the same as the Netflix film? They’re related but not identical. The 2022 Netflix film was made by the same creative team and features much of the same music, but the stage show has its own pacing and some different scenes.
Will Matilda The Musical come to Sydney and Brisbane too? Yes. After Melbourne, the production moves to the Sydney Lyric and QPAC’s Lyric Theatre in Brisbane.
Key Info
Business name: Matilda The Musical
Address: Princess Theatre, 163 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Contact: +61 1300 111 011
Website: https://matildathemusical.com.au/
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