Back in December 2024, I wrote about why I wanted to see The Grinch brought properly to the stage. Well, apparently Who-ville was listening…
It is not quite the London West End production I was wishing for, but this Christmas Leeds Playhouse is staging a brand-new UK production of Dr Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, with Joel Montague leading the company as The Grinch.
Latest Update
The full company has now been announced for the Leeds Playhouse production. The musical runs in the Quarry Theatre from 19 November 2026 to 16 January 2027, with tickets currently priced from £17 to £71.50 plus a £2.95 transaction fee. Running time is 90 minutes and the age guidance is 4+.
The Grinch Has Finally Made It to the UK Stage
This announcement made me smile because in 2024 I genuinely wrote a whole theatre wishlist about wanting a proper Grinch Christmas show. My original wish was specifically for London’s West End, so I’m not pretending that has happened — but a new large-scale UK production at Leeds Playhouse feels like a very fun development.
You can read the original Why The Grinch Belongs in London’s West End article and see exactly what I was hoping for before this Leeds production was announced.
Overview
Leeds Playhouse presents this new UK production in association with Running Subway. Directed by Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director Tom Wright, it takes audiences into Who-ville as the Whos prepare for Christmas and the Grinch plots to steal their festive celebrations. The story is narrated by his loyal dog Max.
The musical has book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, with additional music and lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr Seuss.
Cast
- Joel Montague — The Grinch
- Jack Arnold — Young Max
- Matt Sutton — Old Max
- Alison Fitzjohn — Grandma Who
- Luke Latchman — Papa Who
- Sharon Wattis — Mama Who
- Timothy Speyer — Grandpa Who
The adult ensemble company includes Tom Ansell, Sèyí Awe, Kathryn Barnes, Emily Barnett-Salter, Jessica Barton, Jack Campbell, Zephaniah Gould, Harumi Maeda, Cara Gabrielle Thomas and Jacob Whawell.
A young company of 14 performers will also bring the children of Who-ville to the stage: Aba Batista, Lulu Barker, Jack Booth, Rudy Bragg, Zane Chaba, Minnie Day, Issa Leach, Ellie McArdle, Oliver Maurice, Karis Musongole, Cole Nicholson, Harper Philpott, Haiden Sihapanya and Isabel Zhang.
Creative Team
- Author — Dr Seuss
- Book and lyrics — Timothy Mason
- Music — Mel Marvin
- Director — Tom Wright
- Set & Costume Designer — Simon Higlett
- Assistant Designer and Costume Supervisor — Rachael Griffin
- Choreographer — Tinovimbanashe Sibanda
- Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer and Supervisor — Alice Hardy
- Lighting Designer — Jai Morjaria
- Sound Designers — Rob Bettle and Sam Clarkson for Sound Quiet Time
- Musical Supervisor — Nick Barstow
- Musical Director — Livi Van Warmelo
- Assistant Musical Director — Jonathan Mitra
- Associate Director — Gitika Buttoo
- Video Designer — Gino Ricardo Green
- Adult Casting Director — Annelie Powell CDG
- Casting Associate — Charlotte Agnew Fox
- Young Company Casting Directors and General Managers — Keston & Keston
Dates & Leeds Playhouse
Dates: 19 November 2026 – 16 January 2027
Venue: Quarry Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
Running time: 90 minutes
Age guidance: 4+
Tickets
Tickets are currently £17–£71.50 and bookings are subject to a £2.95 transaction fee. Leeds Playhouse also advertises school and group booking offers, subject to availability.
Accessibility
Leeds Playhouse has scheduled BSL interpreted, captioned, audio-described, touch-tour, relaxed and dementia-friendly options during the run.
- BSL interpreted: 26 November at 7pm; 6 December at 12.30pm; 17 December at 7pm; 23 December at 12.30pm; 7 January at 7pm.
- Captioned: 11 December at 2pm and 7pm; 17 December at 7pm; 29 December at 2pm and 7pm; 7 January at 7pm; 8 January at 2pm.
- Audio described with touch tour: 18 December at 5pm; 22 December at 7pm; 30 December at 12.30pm and 5pm; 14 January at 2pm and 7pm.
- Relaxed performance: 6 January at 11am.
- Dementia friendly: 12 January at 12.30pm; booking is via the Box Office.
The Playhouse states that there are electric wheelchair-accessible lifts to all floors, accessible toilets including a Changing Places toilet, wheelchair spaces in the Quarry, an assisted hearing and amplification service, transfer seats and an in-house wheelchair available by prior arrangement. Guide and hearing dogs are welcome. If you have access requirements, Leeds Playhouse recommends contacting the Box Office when booking.
Why This One Caught Clarissa’s Eye
I’m not exactly known for being the most traditionally festive person, but The Grinch has always been one of my exceptions. That is why this feels like such a satisfying follow-up to the 2024 wishlist: I was already imagining Who-ville, the costumes, the music and all that stage mischief before this production existed.
And no, Leeds is not the West End. The original wish is still sitting there looking towards London. But seeing a brand-new UK production actually happening makes this one very firmly worth watching.
Practical Information
- Where: Leeds Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP
- When: 19 November 2026 – 16 January 2027
- Tickets: £17–£71.50 plus £2.95 transaction fee
- Running time: 90 minutes
- Age guidance: 4+
- Box Office: 0113 213 7700
FAQ
When is How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical in Leeds?
It runs at Leeds Playhouse from 19 November 2026 to 16 January 2027.
Who plays The Grinch?
Joel Montague plays The Grinch, with Jack Arnold as Young Max and Matt Sutton as Old Max.
How long is the show?
Leeds Playhouse lists the running time as 90 minutes.
What is the age guidance?
The official age guidance is 4+.
Are there accessible performances?
Yes. The run includes BSL interpreted, captioned, audio-described, touch-tour, relaxed and dementia-friendly performances. Check the Leeds Playhouse booking page for the latest availability before booking.
More Theatre on Clarissa’s Corner
- Why The Grinch Belongs in London’s West End — the 2024 wishlist that started this particular rabbit hole.
- Who’s Holiday Review – Southwark Playhouse 2022 — a very grown-up Cindy Lou Who.
- Grinchmas Afternoon Tea Bus London 2026–27 — another dose of festive Who-ville mischief in London.
Details checked against Leeds Playhouse information on 16 September 2026. Performance schedules, prices and availability can change, so always check the official booking page before travelling.
