New images from Leeds Playhouse reveal the energy of the A Christmas Carol rehearsal room as the vibrant cast breathe new life into Dickens’ timeless classic

With less than a month to go until opening night, Leeds Playhouse has revealed the exceptional cast of A Christmas Carol in action in rehearsals. The production, directed by award-winning Amy Leach and adapted by Deborah McAndrew, will illuminate the Quarry Theatre from 20 November 2025 – 17 January 2026, moving Charles Dickens’ timeless tale to Victorian Leeds in a spine-tingling celebration of community, compassion and festive cheer.

New rehearsal images give a tantalising glimpse of Reece Dinsdale as Mr Scrooge, and Director Amy Leach working with the company to build the world of the Victorian woollen mill. Leeds Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol features high-spirited dance numbers, live music played on stage by the actor-musicians, original music by Composer John Biddle, and a trio of Tiny Tims played by Alexa Raja (10, Leeds), Lucas Kerr (9, Manchester) and Thalia Coultas (10, York).

The full cast includes Stephen Collins (Oliver Twist, Leeds Playhouse) as Bob Cratchit and Nadia Nadarajah (Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare’s Globe) as Mrs Cratchit; Claudia Kariuki (Pearl in Shucked, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Jane Seymour in Six – The Musical, West End; Sister Act The Musical, West End) as Christmas Present; Obioma Ugoala (George Washington in Hamilton, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd; Kristoff in Frozen) as Marley/Fezziwig; Bea Glancy (What If If Only, Royal Exchange) as Christmas Past; Paul Brown (Mr Snow and Macbeth, Leeds Playhouse) as Dick Wilkins/Topper; Danny Colligan (Jackie!! Gilded Balloon Patter House, Edinburgh) as Fred/Young Scrooge; Finton Flynn (Shooting Star: A new musical, Ryan Lenney) as Peter Cratchit; and Amy Forrest (After the Flood ITV; Small Island National Theatre) as Belle/Mrs Fred.

Completing the cast are actor/musicians: Jon Bonner (The Flood AKA Theatre Co/Leeds Playhouse); Music Captain Matthew James Hinchliffe (Toxic Town, Netflix; As Long as we are breathing, Arcola Theatre); Esther Lim (making her stage debut); and Rosie Strobel (42nd Street, Kilworth House Theatre).

Joining Deborah and Amy on the creative team includes Set & Costume Designer Hayley Grindle; Choreographer EJ Boyle; Composer John Biddle; Lighting Designer Jai Morjaria; Sound Designer Ed Clarke; Musical Director Jonathan Mitra; BSL Consultant Adam Bassett; Audio Description Consultants Hear The Picture – Dan Parr and Esther Irving; Associate Director Xolani Crabtree; Casting Director Lucy Casson CDG; Children’s Casting and General Management Keston & Keston; and Lead BSL Interpreter Sarah Cox.

A Christmas Carol

Adapted by Deborah McAndrew

Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre

Age guide 7+

20 November 2025 – 17 January 2026.

Access Performances
As part of the Playhouse’s ongoing commitment to creative access, all performances from Thursday 27 November will feature Creative Audio Description, available via headsets which can be collected from the Box Office.

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted: Thursday 27 November 7pm; Friday 12 December 7pm; Thursday 18 December 1.30pm; Saturday 27 December 7pm; Sunday 21 December 12.30pm  Wednesday 7 Jan 5pm; Thursday 15 Jan 1.30pm

Audio described and Touch Tour: All performances from Thursday 27 November – Saturday 17 January  

Captioned: Friday 12 December 7pm; Saturday 13 December 1:30pm; Thursday 18 December 1:30pm; Thursday 15 January 1:30pm

Relaxed Performance: Wednesday 7 January 11am

Dementia Friendly: Tuesday 13 January 12.30pm

Access productions at Leeds Playhouse are sponsored by Principal and Access Partner Irwin Mitchell