Roald Dahl wrote some amazingly clever and intuitive children's stories before passing away in 1990. His most famous works are "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "James and the Giant Peach" and the recently movie-generated "Fantastic Mr Fox".

The Royal Shakespeare Company have just announced a new musical version of another Dahl classic, this time it's "Matilda", the story of a young and bookish girl who discovers that she has very special powers and uses them to teach her disinterested parents a lesson. For this special performance, Aussie funnyman and lyrical genius Tim Minchin has lent his composing skills, as well as his usual hilarity and humour.

For a limited season right through Christmas, the Stratford-upon-Avon Courtyard present this excellent production starting on Tuesday 9th Nov and continuing right up until Sunday 30th Jan 2011. Each performance starts at the early time of 7.15pm with tickets starting at just £8 for a gallery view, £10 for circle seats, up to £25 seats in the stalls.

Make this a festive occasion by planning ahead now - it's a great story and possibly an even greater musical, made perfect by Minchen's quirky and bonkers attention to detail.