Once again The West Yorkshire Playhouse has served up a scrumptious delight for the people of West Yorkshire to feast upon over the Christmas and New Year Period – the production runs through until January 15.

But be afraid; be very afraid, because dark spirits are at work showing Ebenezer Scrooge the errors of his miserly ways. The special effects used for the four ghosts – Jacob Marley, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come are absolutely astounding and definitely one of the highlights of the production.

The sets designed by Colin Richmond are also outstanding as is the projection design by Mic Pool, Creative Director at the Playhouse. Through these the audience is drawn into the world of Victorian London and the lives of Ebenezer, his nephew Fred and his assistant Bob Cratchit.

Liverpudlian Philip Whitchurch, who plays the role of Scrooge, is superb in both his acting and his singing. Probably best known for his role of Philip Cato in The Bill he has recently been seen in the role of Billy’s father in Billy Elliott both in London and on Broadway. Giving great support is Stuart Neal as his nephew Fred and Robert Finlayson as Bob Cratchit. I must also give plaudits to Beverley Klein as Mrs Fezziwig, Sarah Moyle as Mrs Cratchit and Sevan Stephan as Mr Fezziwig.

Although the production is dark in parts, there are also some very comical moments and the Fezziwig Annual Christmas Ball is one of these. The production has a dozen musical numbers and I am sure future audiences will be clapping along to Merry Christmas Everybody and The Christmas Goose, just as they were on the night that I attended.

The show certainly has the ‘wow factor’ in very many ways from the superb chorus work in both singing and choreography to the superb special effects which is something that will be remembered for a long time. A fantastic production. Get to see it if you can.