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.
The final go-ahead is expected to be given for work to start on a major new £15million sports hub in Holbeck.
Senior councillors are expected to give the approval next Wednesday 11 March at an executive board meeting.
An agreement will be made on a contractor to complete the work which will bring state-of-the-art sports pitches and a community space to the city.
Holbeck Sports Hub will provide three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a building with changing rooms and a café.
Image: Supplied
Work is expected to begin in August 2026 and is set to be built at the site of the former Matthew Murray High School.
The plan is to also provide a home to a new GP surgery as well as a children’s play area and walking and running routes through the green space which sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Image: Supplied
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We look forward to the work starting on the Holbeck Sports Hub, which will be a significant asset to the local community and residents in south Leeds.
“It will provide affordable and accessible quality sports pitches, providing more opportunities for physical activity and play and spaces to meet up and connect.
“We are also working towards an agreement with a GP practice so that the area can benefit from new high-quality healthcare provision to meet the needs of the community.”
The programme is joint funded by the Football Foundation and Leeds City Council capital funding.
New grassroots music space aiming to make DJing and music more accessible opening in Headingley this month
Clementine Hall
A new grassroots music space is opening in Headingley with a mission to make DJing, vinyl and music culture more accessible.
Meanhood Studios, founded by long-time LS6 residents Jim and Katie Young, will combine a professional DJ rehearsal studio, record shop, performance space and tuition hub all under one roof.
Their aim is simple, "to level the playing field in a scene that has often felt exclusive and gatekept.”
Meanhood started as a guerrilla pop-up record shop in lockdown when Jim started selling records from his personal collection.
Built solely on quality and word-of-mouth reputation, the venture quickly grew into a respected local record spot known for its carefully curated vinyl selection.
Images: Supplied
Jim’s roots trace back to Manchester’s late-90s free party scene, he began DJing at 17 and from Hyde Park house parties to residencies at legendary clubs, he went on to host nights featuring artists who would later become major names in UK dance music.
Katie grew up in rural Cumbria, discovering music through pirate radio, library tapes and out-of-town raves. After moving to Leeds for university, she built a 20-year corporate career while supporting events, fly-posting for club nights and working behind the scenes.
“DJing is so much more than pushing buttons,” says Jim. “You’ve got to love it when no one’s watching. We want to share that knowledge and remove some of the barriers we experienced.”
Meanhood Studios will open on Friday 13 March and will offer access to equipment, rehearsal space, vinyl records and tuition for aspiring DJs and music lovers.
It's more important now than ever to support grassroots music venues, and we can't wait to check out this new space.
Sophie Smith -
14th February 2022 
