Joel Montague will play the title role in Dr Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Leeds Playhouse this Christmas season, marking artistic director Tom Wright’s first festive production at the venue.

The production will run in the Quarry Theatre from 19 November 2026 to 16 January 2027, with a press night scheduled for 26 November. It is produced by Leeds Playhouse in association with Running Subway and is based on the Broadway adaptation of Dr Seuss’s classic festive story, with a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin.

Montague revealed he auditioned after hearing about the production while filming. “I threw my name in the hat and asked if they would be interested in seeing me. The stars aligned, I walked into the audition room, and luckily secured the part,” he said in an exclusive to WhatsOnStage.

This role follows Montague’s recent success as Buddy in the West End production of Elf. “Buddy is high on sugar, and the Grinch is a completely different creature,” Montague reflected. “There is history there in Dr Seuss. In the UK, most people know the Grinch from Jim Carrey’s performance. I will tip my hat to that interpretation, but I am doing my own thing with it.”

Montague explained his interpretation of the Grinch will balance the character’s viciousness with a more nuanced, likeable quality. “He has to be lovable. You like the viciousness of him, and you find him comical, but he cannot just be played for complete laughs. The skill is in turning him good, so the audience wants to see the good in him.”

He also praised the venue’s in-house production facilities, highlighting the Playhouse’s costume and set-building workshops that create bespoke designs for the space. “Very few venues in the UK do that now, so I am fortunate to be working at such a prestigious venue,” Montague said.

The festive musical forms part of Tom Wright’s first season as artistic director, which also features a revival of Fences and the regional premiere of Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan’s Peanut Butter and Blueberries. Tickets for How The Grinch Stole Christmas! are currently on sale.

Accessibility features for the production include audio described, British Sign Language interpreted, captioned, relaxed and dementia-friendly performances, alongside educational workshops delivered by the Playhouse Connect team. The full cast is yet to be announced.