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Leeds Playhouse’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tour announced

Following its Christmas season debut in Leeds which will run from 18 November 2022 to 28 January 2023, the new production will open at Milton Keynes Theatre on 9 February 2023.

After playing Milton Keynes until 5 March 2023, the production will head for His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen (15-26 March 2023), Edinburgh Playhouse (29 March-15 April 2023), Norwich Theatre Royal (19-29 April 2023), the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (3-20 May 2023) and Canterbury Marlowe Theatre (24 May- 3 June 2023). Further venues and casting will be announced soon.

Produced by Neal Street Productions and Playful Productions, the Leeds Playhouse production will be directed by the Playhouse’s artistic director James Brining and designed by Simon Higlett.

Inspired by Roald Dahl’s much-loved 1964 novel and featuring songs from the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory , Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical has a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The musical premiered in the West End in 2013 with a production directed by Sam Mendes and arrived on Broadway in 2017.

Angela Thomas

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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical , James Brining , Leeds Playhouse , Milton Keynes Theatre , Roald Dahl

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City Varieties Music Hall

City Varieties Music Hall tours

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The City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds offered three different tour options depending on visitor’s needs. Check with the theatre for current tours programme.

Public heritage theatre tours

Following the recent restoration, City Varieties Music Hall is now offering backstage tours which explore the theatre's intriguing, and often colourful, history.  From a music room above a pub, to the world-famous home of The Good Old Days, the City Varieties has welcomed the best comedians, musicians and performers for more than 140 years. Come and hear how the music hall, one of only four surviving in the U.K., has been restored to its former Victorian glory and learn about the improvements that have been made to ensure the City Varieties continues to entertain audiences for many more years to come. The tour will transport you to the magical backstage world to see behind the scenes and ‘tread the boards’ of this much loved venue. Duration : 60 minutes How to book : Public Heritage Theatre Tours should be booked by telephone on +44 (0)113 243 0808 Cost : £5 (adult), £3 (child)

Family tours

The Family Tour is designed especially for children and their families. Join the City Varieties as they step back in time to 1865 when the music hall first opened its doors. Explore behind the scenes, hear stories of the weird and wonderful acts that have performed on our stage, dress up in period costume, and join in with games and activities whilst discovering the hidden secrets of this beautiful Victorian building. Suitable for all the family. Please note there is a minimum of one adult and one child per booking. Duration : 60 minutes

How to book : Family Tours should be booked by contacting by telephone on +44 (0)113 243 0808

Cost : £5 (adult), £3 (child)

School tours, historical societies and specialist interest groups

Duration : 60 minutes

How to book : Specialist Tours should be booked directly by telephone on +44 (0)113 243 0808

How to get there

City Varieties Music Hall is situated in the heart of Leeds City Centre on Swan Street which links Briggate with Lands Lane, close to the Victoria Quarter. They are located within a pedestrianised area with heavily restricted vehicle access and the closest  drop-off point would be on The Headrow. The theatre is easily accessible by public transport. It is approximately 10 minutes walk from the main bus station and 15 minutes walk from the train station with many buses stopping in the immediate vicinity. For the most up to date information on local bus and train times, please check WYMetro . For further information please see the theatre’s website

• Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House seats 1,550 at full capacity and Opera North and Northern Ballet Theatre have their residencies here.
• West Yorkshire Play House opened in Leeds in 1990 and has since earned the reputation both nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s most exciting producing theatres.
• Leeds Town Hall offers an annual music programme under the banner of Leeds International Concert Season in this Grade I listed building.
• The Carriageworks in Leeds offers a more intimate performance space for the works of local artists and performers.
• Alhambra Theatre in the heart of Bradford is a stunning Edwardian style music hall with regular performances from touring companies.
• Royal Hall in Harrogate is a stunning Edwardian theatre dating from 1903 and has been recently restored.
• Howard Assembly Rooms in Leeds is a new arts hub for the north - a special place where special things happen. With a diverse and far reaching programme, it is curated by award winning Opera North.
• Theatre Royal Wakefield is famous for giving its visitors some of the best nights out in town.
• York Theatre Royal is a unique mixture of historic and new theatre in the heart of York

Swan Street Leeds West Yorkshire LS1 6LW England Great Britain

Tel: +44 (0) 113 243 08 08

City Varieties Music Hall has been one of the longest running music halls in the United Kingdom, running continuously since 1865. In 1762 the White Swan Inn opened on the current site of City Varieties and just five years later a small music room was added above the pub. In 1865, Charles Thornton bought the White Swan, rebuilt the pub and music room and rebranded the venue as ‘Thornton’s New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge’ before later becoming the City Palace of Varieties with famous names such as Marie Lloyd, Lily Langtry, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini and Harry Lauder, Frankie Vaughn, Ken Dodd and Barry are among the artists who performed here. The interior of City Varieties Music Hall is a long rectangle, with boxes separated by cast-iron columns along the sides at circle level. Today most of the Music Hall remains intact as it would have looked in 1865. Between 1953 and 1983, the theatre achieved national fame as the venue for the BBC television programme The Good Old Days . The venue still presents live "Good Old Days" music hall events in the spring and autumn, as well as pantomime and a regular programme of stand-up comedy and music concerts. The City Varieties was granted Heritage Lottery funds to help with major refurbishment and restoration. The theatre closed for refurbishment in January 2009 and re-opened in September 2011 re-establishing the physical link between the Swan Inn and the theatre was re-established. The theatre now has 467 seats and hosts music, comedy and entertainment as well as the ever popular annual pantomime.

See The Theatres Trust Theatres Database ID 1840 City Varieties

See also: Arthur Lloyd Music Hall and History website

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The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

18 nov 2024 – 25 jan 2025.

• Tickets £15.00 - £60.00
• Venue Quarry
• Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes (including one 20-minute interval)
• Age guidance 6+

“Narnians unite!”

Step through the wardrobe into the kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land.  

Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to Mr. Tumnus, the talking Faun, Aslan, the unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruelest White Witch!  

This breathtaking stage show of C.S. Lewis ’ classic novel returns to Leeds Playhouse following a successful West End and UK tour. With magical storytelling, bewitching stagecraft and incredible puppets, it is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.  

Leeds Playhouse in association with Elliott & Harper Productions & Catherine Schreiber .

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Take A Tour of Playhouse Square

With five fully restored historic theaters (opened 1921-22), Playhouse Square is the largest theater restoration project in the world. Join us for a free tour and find out how these gems were saved from the wrecking ball!  

Today, Playhouse Square features 12 venues and, along with eight resident companies, welcomes more than 1 million guests to 1000+ shows and events each year.  

Register for a Tour

Register for a free tour with our volunteer guides on select Saturdays (listed below) for a history-based Playhouse Square Tour.  Tours do involve stairs and we suggest wearing comfortable shoes. If you or a member of your party is not able to access stairs, please inform the volunteer guides upon arrival and they will adjust the tour.  Please note that not all areas may be available during each tour.  Playhouse Square inspects all handbags, diaper bags and cases at points of entry.  The following items are not permitted in Playhouse Square theaters. Please leave them in your car or at home. -    Backpacks and other large bags. -    Playhouse Square is a firearms-free facility. No one except on-duty law enforcement officials is permitted to possess or carry a firearm on the premises. Cameras are permitted on public tours. All camera bags will be inspected.

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Private tours can be scheduled any date of the week with a start time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tours typically last 90 minutes; duration may vary based on theater availability. Please note: we cannot guarantee that a specific theater will be available on the date of your tour. We appreciate your understanding.

To schedule a private tour, please complete the form below. Once your tour guide has been scheduled, we will contact you to confirm your date and time and collect payment.

Payment is due two weeks prior to your tour date. The fee for a private tour is $100 for up to 20 people; $200 for 21-40 guests; $300 for 41-60 guests and so on. A private tour must be arranged at least 3 weeks in advance of the desired tour date. Private tours are non-refunable.

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Free outdoor walking tours of the Playhouse Square District, conducted by Gateway District Heritage Tourism, are offered on select dates during warmer months. No registration is required to attend.

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