Matilda welcomes Alison Luff as Miss Honey

The Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical has welcomed a new Miss Honey on Broadway. Alison Luff replaced Jill Paice and began performances on Saturday 6 September 2014.

Ms Luff recently starred as Elphaba in the National Tour of 'Wicked' and has previously appeared on the Broadway stage in 2012 in both 'Ghost the Musical' and 'Scandalous'.

The show's principal cast currently stars Christopher Sieber (Miss Trunchbull), Karen Aldridge (Mrs. Phelps), Matt Harrington (Mr. Wormwood), Lesli Margherita (Mrs. Wormwood), Taylor Trensch (Michael Wormwood), and Alison Luff (Miss Honey). Tori Feinstein, Eliza Holland Madore, Brooklyn Shuck, and Fina Strazza currently alternate the role of Matilda.

Matilda the Musical officially opened at the Shubert Theatre on 11 April 2013, following previews from 4 March 2013. It is currently booking to 28 June 2015.

The musical opened on Broadway to excellent reviews: Even more glorious than we were promised (NY Times); Glorious Matilda has it all (NYP); Another blockbuster (NY1); Dazzlingly inventive musical (Hollywood Reporter). It received four Tony Awards, and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for each of the four girls who originated the title role.

Synopsis: "Matilda the Musical tells the story of a very bright and rebellious little girl, with special powers. Matilda's parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood, have no time for her and treat her as a nuisance. She spends most of her time reading books from the library astonishingly quickly, whilst they watch the telly and Mr Wormwood sells dodgy used cars. At school things are no better as despite the care and support of her teacher, the lovely Miss Honey, Matilda has to contend with the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull who rules the school with cruelty and fear. Matilda fights against the injustices at home and at school. Eventually she decides the grown-ups should be taught a lesson and in the process discovers her supernatural powers."

Matilda the Musical features a book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by the Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, and direction by Tony Award-winner Matthew Warchus with choreography by Peter Darling.

Matilda the Musical is designed by Rob Howell, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

The show is being produced on Broadway by The Royal Shakespeare Company and New York's Dodger Properties.

- by Tom Millward