Writer: Charles Dickens
Adaptation: Deborah McAndrew
Director: Amy Leach
The epic Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Seen by the masses in a variety of different forms over the years, whether it’s the local am dram production, the RSC version or Michael Caine and The Muppets hamming it up in the film. It is a tale that feels incredibly of its Victorian time as well as having an ability to provide social commentary that is still entirely relevant and valid today. It has the potential for humour, warmth and even a touch of spookiness, and the cast of this Leeds Playhouse production, under the direction of Amy Leach, have managed to wring every ounce of all of these elements from the script. Leach has presented them in such a way as to delight with new and different representations, nuances and meanings.
The action has been relocated to Leeds and reimagined within the woollen industry, but the heart and soul of this classic Dickens tale are still there for all to see. Charming, warm and beautiful to look at, real depth is created by the opening scene set in the mill itself, with workers toiling away (almost Les Mis like) in a quick and impactful visual introduction to Victorian life. The tone is set beautifully with a rendition of In the Bleak Midwinter that gives the carol a new depth.
In fact, the introduction of songs into the production, a mixture of carols with new lyrics and original composed music, is perfectly balanced throughout – never interfering with the story, always adding to it. Seeing and hearing some utterly charming, giant dancing baubles singing to convince Scrooge to open a present from the Ghost of Christmas Present was both crazy and an absolute delight.
This glorious adaptation by Deborah McAndrew allows the excellent Reece Dinsdale to step into the iconic role of Ebeneezer Scrooge, bringing his trademark depth and northern grit and a good deal of humour. There’s even the odd joke in there for anyone ‘down with the kids’ – watch out for a certain two consecutive numbers dropped in, that had younger members of the audience chuckling.
The change in Scrooge from his pre-ghostly-visitings self to his Christmas Day epiphany is beautifully realised by Dinsdale, eliciting tears from your reviewer amongst others as he illustrated the literal heartwarming that has taken place.
As ever, the Playhouse has done two things perfectly. Firstly it has made as much as possible of the transportation of the action to Yorkshire, with lines and accents a plenty. Secondly the production is inclusive in virtually every sense of the word. The cast is multi-talented, multi-ethnic, geographically diverse and has both deaf and hearing actors, with BSL in use by many of the actors throughout. These elements are worked entirely seamlessly together.
Notable show stealers included Stephen Collins, who not only played Bob Cratchit but also a number of other characters, including an all too brief cameo as a cute reindeer. Claudia Kariuki also shone as the part Mary Poppins/part sultry showgirl Ghost of Christmas Present.
It should be said that this is definitely a family production, the ghost of Jacob Marley is not overplayed for scare factor by Obioma Ugoala and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a large and strangely beautiful puppet, so no children should be having nightmares about ghosts having seen this production.
A huge doff of a Victorian cap must also go to Set and Costume Designer Hayley Grindle who has perfectly captured the tone of the story through beautiful costumes and attention to detail, and a clever, intricate set that allows for action on multiple levels.
A Christmas Carol is always a bold choice these days as there are so many versions it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, but this production sits simply head and shoulders above the rest. It is a real triumph for Leeds Playhouse and everyone involved.
Runs until 17th January 2026
