The perennial festive favourite, The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre by Birmingham Rep and presented by Sadler’s Wells, is back. It’s a dance show for all the family with songs and iconic music by Howard Blake, and can be enjoyed even by very young children as well as those who have seen previous productions. The show keeps evolving but its enchantment remains perpetual. It’s also a terrific introduction to dance for children, being more accessible than The Nutcracker. In addition, there’s a live orchestra in place which is another significant musical experience for them.
The story is about a little boy who builds a snowman which comes to life and becomes his friend. Together they share adventures and fun including a magical trip to the North Pole where they meet characters including dancing penguins, Father Christmas, his reindeers, a Snow Princess ballerina and a troop of dancing snowmen. There’s even an encounter with Jack Frost who tries to cause trouble but fails.
Directed by Bill Alexander this year’s production is particularly fast-paced and well-matched to children’s attention spans with some scenes having been changed from previous years. The little boy at the heart of this story, who is almost always on stage, is indeed performed by a child (there’s an interchangeable cast of three taking different performances). The age, energy and talent of these boys forge a vital connection with the children in the audience.
The Snowman is a malleable dance marvel of softness and fun in his snowsuit. The scenes where he takes the little boy flying to the music, ‘Walking in the air’ are a spectacular wonder. Father Christmas is danced with vigour and a great sense of fun, everyone cheers and waves in response. By the second act, after the interval, some children will have risen from their seats to dance.
In this year’s show, the friendship between the Snow Princess ballerina and The Snowman has been turned into more of an actual romance. This happily suggests The Snowman has had someone and somewhere to return to when the snow melts outside the little boy’s house and he’s gone. The Snowman’s fight with Jack Frost for possession of the ballerina while she is helpless, though traditional to the show doesn’t chime with current depictions of female agency and seems out of time.
The ending of this new production does bring a more realistic sense of happiness to its audience than in previous years as all are brought to an understanding that with the return of snow, there’s the promise of new adventures for the little boy, even perhaps, the return of his friend. This is well done. The former ending with the loss of a friend forever could be troublesome for some children.
Suitable for all the family, even children from the age of 18 months old may be in thrall for much of the time. Very suitable for those from the age of four.
The Peacock Theatre staff are familiar with the needs of young children. The Snowman returns to the theatre every year.
Review by Marian Kennedy
The Snowman Andrew Ashton & Martin Fenton
The Boy Phoenix Beharry, Teddy Holton-Frances & Stanley Williams
Father Christmas / Dad Federico Casadei
Ice Princess / Music Box Ballerina / Kung Fu Snowman / Reindeer Laura Boulter & Carla Hogarth
Jack Frost / Cowboy Snowman / Toy Soldier / Coconut Wil Trash
Jack Frost / Cowboy Snowman / Toy Soldier / Pineapple Marko Matic
Scotty Snowman / Badger / Reindeer / Cat Michaela Marrable
Fred Astaire Snowman / Banana / Drunk Bradley Applewhaite
Mum / Jolly Snowman / Fox / Reindeer / Dance Captain Charlotte Lovell
Tommy Cooper Snowman / Cat / Squirrel / Reindeer Katrina Kelly
Penguin / Teddy / Rabbit Kynda Ng
Penguin / Teddy / Rabbit Pearl Okada
Badger / Reindeer / Swing Emi Ichikawa
Swing Pippa Higham & Andrii Osadchyi
Music and lyrics by Howard Blake
Choreographer – Robert North
Director – Bill Alexander
Scenario by Howard Blake, Bill Alexander & Robert North
Designer – Ruari Murchison
Lighting Designer – Tim Mitchell
Sound Designer – Richard Brooker
Musical Director – Gemma Hawkins
Birmingham Rep presents
THE SNOWMAN
Peacock Theatre, WC2
23 November 2024 to 4 January 2025
