Theatre review:
A Christmas Carol, Leeds Playhouse
★★★★★

LEEDS PLAYHOUSE has staged at least two previous productions of A Christmas Carol over the last decade. Fatigue with the Charles Dickens classic should have set in by now, but with Deborah McAndrew’s new adaptation, they’ve arguably put on their best yet.

Moving the action to the industrial heartland of the north, the family show doesn’t shy away from emotional highs and lows. Central to this is the depiction of Reece Dinsdale’s Ebenezer Scrooge, now a late Victorian mill owner. Teetering on the edge of pantomime villain, he clearly relishes his humbuggery; terrorising charity workers who ask for donations for the poor and attributing the apparition of deceased business partner Jacob Marley (Obioma Ugoala) to “an undigested piece of meat.”

This humour is contrasted with reminders about the lived reality of the working class, whose labours lined the pockets of the elite. Hayley Grindle’s set is designed around chimneys that belch out thick smoke. Secondary characters are briefly introduced that capture the horrendous conditions endured by many; the miners producing coal for the factories and the textile workers creating fine linen for suits. These are the people that Scrooge would rather see die — to decrease the population — than help.

The counterarguments presented in the play about power resting in the hands of the few remain depressingly familiar. Yet the promise of salvation produces much needed seasonal joy and bursts of colour amid the industrial grey. There are bright costumes at the Christmas party hosted by Scrooge’s former employer Fezziwig (Ugoala), and a troupe of red and gold baubles accompany the Ghost of Christmas Present (Claudia Kariuki) in a ridiculously surreal dance routine.

The dance, choreographed by Emily Jane Boyle, is brought to life by John Biddle’s music, performed by four actor-musicians in the ensemble. Combining carols with original songs, these underscore rather than dominate many scenes. If not all the cast are natural dancers, then it reinforces the creative team’s commitment to inclusivity. BSL is used by many actors throughout — Stephen Collins (Bob Cratchit) and Nadia Nadarajah (Mrs Cratchit) both being deaf — with their near silent scenes woven seamlessly into the production. 

There are strong performances throughout, with the ensemble cast giving grit to the Amy Leach-directed show, but the star is clearly Dinsdale. Barely leaving the stage for the duration, his transformation from avaricious grouch to benevolent gentleman is enough to bring festive joy to the heart of even the biggest humbug.

Runs until January 17 2026. Box office: (0113) 213-7700, leedsplayhouse.org.uk.