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.
Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.
Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.
Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.
The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.
“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.
“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.
“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”
Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.
Canadian rock legends Nickelback announce Leeds gig on huge world arena tour
Clementine Hall
Nickelback announce world arena tour in support of their new album - and they're coming to Leeds.
The Canadian rockers will be bringing their biggest hits as well brand-new music to arenas around the world.
Formed in Hanna, Alberta, the band made up of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Daniel Adair, have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide.
Best known for rock anthems including Rockstar, Photograph and How You Remind Me, Nickelback have built up a huge global following over the course of their career.
The upcoming tour will see the band celebrate their new album, Everything Under The Sun, and they'll be kicking off the UK leg of the tour right here in Leeds at the First Direct Bank Arena.
The tour follows their record-setting Get Rollin' world tour, and will once again take them to venues across North America, Europe, and Australia.
The group have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide, and achieved billions of streams across digital platforms.
Their new album will be released at the end of the month on Friday 30 October, so you'll have plenty of time to get to know their new tracks before they come to Leeds on Saturday 22 May 2027.
They'll be supported on the tour by Don Broco, an English four-piece featuring Rob Damiani, Simon Delaney, Tom Doyle and Matt Donnelly. Known for their genre-defying sound and dynamic approach to modern rock.
Nickelback 2027 UK Tour Dates in full
22 May - Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
24 May - London The O2
28 May - Birmingham Utility Arena
1 June - Glasgow Ovo Hydro
2 June - Manchester Co-op Live
Tickets for Nickelback at the Leeds First Direct Arena go on sale next Friday 16 October and you can get yours HERE.
Sophie Smith -
14th February 2022 
