Review: A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse

Thursday 27th November 2025 at Leeds Playhouse

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Leeds Playhouse have returned to the land of Ebeneezer Scrooge with their latest production of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. This time, in Deborah McAndrew’s adaptation, the tale is set firmly in Yorkshire, with Scrooge as the clutching, covetous owner of a West Yorkshire woollen mill. 

Reece Dinsdale offers up a loudly cantankerous Scrooge – brash and overbearing, he speaks far more than he listens – in fact, the inevitable school parties in the audience will likely recognise more than a little of Priestley’s Arthur Birling in his take on old Scratch! So he’s not the intimidating brand of Scrooge, more of a family-friendly meanie (who’s not short of a comical aside or two) who comes good (pretty fitting for the Christmas show season).

The tale of course tells of Mr Scrooge’s transformation from money-mad meanie to wholesome giver thanks to a gaggle of ghosts showing him the errors of his ways. Obioma Ugoala is a cracking Marley, bringing just enough ominousness to capture the stark warning of the character without being too threatening (a fine balance echoed later with the giant marionette that is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come). Bea Glancy’s Ghost of Christmas Past offers recognisable softness but also a refreshing edge, and Claudia Kariuki is a delightful Ghost of Christmas Present – lending the production a powerful, beautiful voice alongside a charismatic ghostly performance. 

Stephen Collins cuts a gentle figure as Bob Cratchit, with a warmth about him that is comically offset by the indignant wrath of Nadia Nadarajah’s Mrs Cratchit in one key scene. And minor characters with big impact include Danny Colligan’s infectiously jolly Fred,  Rosie Strobel’s shamelessly brutal Mrs Dilber and of course, Lucas Kerr’s adorable bright-eyed innocence as Tiny Tim.

Director Amy Leach and set and costume designer Hayley Grindle have teamed up once again to envelop us in another world, this time with industrial chimneys and harsh ironmongery beautifully offset by the explosion of colour in Grindle’s costume designs – highlights being the glamorous Ghost of Christmas Present, the nostalgic warmth of the philanthropist pair and Mrs Fezziwig’s beautiful gown, which is a Victorian vision –  meaning Claudia Kariuki is the lucky wearer of the best costumes on set, playing each of those roles in turn! 

This is an adaptation with festive season audiences in mind, gearing the tale towards magic and a gentler journey for Scrooge. There are some lovely Christmassy moments, including a generous number of songs to accompany scene changes and a buoyant opening number for the second act featuring dancing baubles and fun choreography from  Emily Jane Boyle. Those looking for festive fun won’t be disappointed here, and while it’s not the darkest take on Dickens’ story, it brings the gentler side of his characters to life very nicely.

A Christmas Carol is at Leeds Playhouse until January 17th 2026 – more information and tickets can be found here.