Interview: Matt Sutton on bringing the festive spirit of Dr Seuss and The Grinch to Leeds Playhouse this Christmas
The Christmas season has to be one of favourites in the theatre calendar. Across the globe, we have the most hearty and feel-good array of shows, from pantomime to ballet. But if you happen to find yourself in the Yorkshire area, then Leeds Playhouse's production of Dr Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical may just be the show for you. We chat with Matt Sutton who plays the Grinch's loyal dog-servant Old Max, as we uncover the magic behind the treasured musical so rarely performed in the UK.
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1. This festive season, you are set to star in Dr Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical in Leeds Playhouse's Quarry Theatre. Could you tell us a little about the show, for those who aren't familiar?
The story is part Santa Claus (but in reverse - the presents are taken out of the stockings and put back on the sleigh!), and part A Christmas Carol, where someone who hates Christmas and the seasonal spirit tries to ruin it. But a close community that The Grinch lives near give him a change of heart with their infectious, indomitable joy and warmth, welcoming him in.
2. What was your response when you found out that you'd been cast?
Shock and delight! I was having a coffee with a mate when my agent rang with the offer, and we shared a brownie to celebrate. I've been in a few Christmas shows and pantos over the years and always really enjoy working over the holidays. But I've never been in a proper musical, so I was buzzing to be invited into the MT world.
3. You play 'Old Max' the wise, narrator-style role and The Grinch's loyal dog assistant. What is it like to play Max, and have you found any surprises through this?
It's a real honour and responsibility to be the link between the stage and audience, leading them through the story.
And we're thinking about: to what extent Old Max is reliving this story moment-to-moment as he recalls it, rather than just retelling it for the audience like he's done a hundred times before. It was a significant event for Max in his young life, and it brings back strong, mixed emotions. So if he's reliving it for the first time since the events happened all those years ago, and being affected by those memories in real time, it will be more compelling to watch for audiences.
In terms of surprises, I reckon they often come when you meet the audience and they tell you when they find something funny or particularly sad. Their reactions are sometimes surprising and you have to be open to that.
4. You originally hail from Hull. What is it like returning to perform on the Yorkshire stage?
I've always had a magic time at the Playhouse, starting in 1993 when I came over to audition for the National Youth Theatre. I was in a Playhouse Christmas show for very young audiences in 2005 called The Magic Paintbrush where I played a pig. And now I'm playing a dog, so it's sort of come full circle!
5. How familiar were you with the musical before joining the company?
Not at all. But as we rehearse, you appreciate how fine and rich the compositions are; you can hear bits of Sondheim and others' influence in there [music by Mel Marvin]. The book and lyrics [Timothy Mason] have broadened Dr Seuss's original verse sensitively in the Seussian style, lifting the world of Whoville and Mt. Crumpit off the page into 3D.
6. And finally, for audiences that haven't yet booked, why is Dr Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical the show to see this winter?
If you feel you've seen the classic Christmas tales and pantos enough times, and want a fresh way to make you feel festive and warm your heart - this show will do it.
Directed by Artistic Director Tom Wright, Dr Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical plays in Leeds Playhouse's Quarry Theatre from 19th November 2026 to 16th January 2027: https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/dr-seuss-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-the-musical/
