Known for spectacular and original Christmas productions, Leeds Playhouse tackles Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this year, showing in The Quarry Theatre where Leo Owen caught the show.

Back to full capacity for the first time for a Christmas production since before Covid hit, The Playhouse is decked out in all the festive trappings. Simon Higlett’s set is less seasonal and more Dahl, opening on an industrial looking rubbish dump that also frames the stage. Four Charlies on rotation (tonight’s Amelia Minto) illustrate the poverty of the Bucket’s lives, rummaging through this backdrop while singing “their trash is my treasure” and upscaling unwanted items.

From amongst this rubbish appears first Mrs Pratchett’s sweet shop and then a cross-section of the Bucket’s house. Exactly as Dahl described, Charlie’s grandparents top-tail in a cramped attic bedroom, conjured straight from the page. Unfortunately, those hoping the rest of the show will closely resemble previous adaptations, may be disappointed. Higlett’s oompa loompas are like silver robots and the exterior of Wonka’s factory a steampunk Wizard of Oz lair. Inside, Higlett uses projection onto walls, floor and side panels to capture the technicolour world of Wonka. Coupled with props and dialogue, cast bring to life the mint chocolate chip leaves of the chocolate room while the nut room features an actor dressed in a giant squirrel costume. Higlett’s pièce de résistance is undoubtedly his glass elevator.

Much of the action of course takes place inside the factory, resulting in TV news segments of the golden ticket winners being shown out front and on TV screens around the dump. While fellow ticket winners may look the part, aside from Veruca Salt (Kazmin Borrer) and Augustus Gloop (Robin Simões Da Silva), they don’t quite meet expectations. Emily Jane Boyle’s choreography on “When Veruca Says” work nicely and Borrer’s performance is one of the best. Aside from the infamous “Pure Imagination”, none of the other songs or vocals particularly stand out. Playing Mrs Bucket, Leonie Spilsbury unquestionably has the strongest vocals, making “Candy Man” the only other memorable number.

Although the show deviates from much-loved film adaptations, there remain nods to Dahl’s trademark dark humour reflected in its seven plus age rating: talk of an Indian prince and princess drowning in their melting chocolate palace; skulls momentarily peeking through projections and Gareth Snook’s very mixed representation of Willy Wonka.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, lacks the magic and wow factor of some of the Playhouse’s previous Christmas shows but remains inclusive with a BSL signer stage front. Fans of source material or film versions, may be disappointed but it’ll fire the imaginations of little ones getting in the holiday mood.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory shows at Leeds Playhouse 18th November-28th January before embarking on a UK tour:

https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory/