The 1964 best-selling novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has been transformed into a musical experience fit for the West End.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical, based on the classic Roald Dahl story, is coming to Leeds Playhouse for a ten-week stint at the end of 2022.
The musical will be running throughout the festive period, beginning on Friday 18 November and performances will be held almost daily until Friday 28 January 2023.
Image:The Hoot Leeds
Promising to be a Christmas night out that will appeal to the whole family, the much-loved story will be directed by James Brining from Leeds Playhouse and adapted from the original novel by David Greig.
The reinvention of the West End hit is set to bring an all-singing, all-dancing twist to the 1964 novel that is loved by grandparents, parents and children alike.
Artistic Director James Brining is reported stating that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 'special story' that provides Leeds with a 'golden opportunity' to celebrate our local community, with the 'iconic Willy Wonka at its heart'.
The West End show was ran from the Drury Lane theatre in London. / Image: Wikicommons
Leeds Playhouse are reminding ticket holders of the synopsis we've all come to know and love growing up, and hinting at what some of the set items may look like: we're expecting a lot of food-based structures.
"When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s a chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets they’ve always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible and edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems."
Watch out for your golden ticket. / Image: Wikicommons
After a long two years of halted and cancelled performances, the future looks much brighter for one of Leeds' favourite theatres. The performing arts is an industry that has been hit in a way unfathomable and incomparable to most other working positions, so all tickets sold will help to reignite their livelihood once more.
To get yourself a golden ticket for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Musical, visit the Leeds Playhouse website where you can get £10 off preview tickets if you book before Thursday 31 March 2022.
Tickets generally range between £14 and £55, depending on your seat preference.
Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024.
We are so, so back.
It's been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a small selection of UK gigs for later in the year including a homecoming gig at the O2 Academy on Friday 6 November.
The dates follow the band’s first show of the year at the 6Music Festival this Friday across The Pennines in Manchester.
After Leeds, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on Friday 13 November before making their way down south to the O2 Academy in Brixton on Thursday 26 November.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album Where’s My Utopia? with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August 2024.
It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy. It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were.
Since then, the band have remained active, whether writing Where’s My Utopia’s follow-up on scratching the itch to get back on stage, heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives, which was preceded by an intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to the Autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait.
Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday 27 March. Sign up here.
Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring
Clementine Hall
Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.
Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.
Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.
Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.
Images: The Manc Group
Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.
So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."
They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.
It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.
We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.
Sophie Smith -
14th February 2022 
