As we're approaching Christmas time once again, The Snowman is back in London, directed by Bill Alexander. It's a joyous, charming celebration of magic and fantasy full of character, and a wonderful Christmas treat for the whole family to watch together. It will put a smile on anyone's face and wonder in anybody's eyes.
The Snowman has become a staple of Christmas and is returning to the Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre for its 28th consecutive season, presented by the Birmingham Rep. This stage adaptation of the Raymond Briggs book, without any spoken words but rather contemporary ballet and physical theatre, is appropriate for kids and adults alike. The story follows a young boy who befriends a snowman that's come to life on Christmas Eve. Throughout the story, the audience explores the human world (the various rooms of the house) with new eyes through the perspective of the snowman. The snowman and the boy eventually travel to the North Pole, where they meet some very special characters, including the big man himself.
The ensemble consists of high-calibre performers and dancers who clearly can execute any task thrown their way with finesse, energy, and excitement. Dancing fruit? You got it. Forest critters? No problem. Snowmen, from all around the globe? Not even a question! The show's cohesive cumulation of set, costumes, lights, sound, and performers makes the story so crystal clear and easy to follow that the audience automatically gets lost in this magical winter world. It's occasionally so easy to get lost in the action and charm, that we forget that we're watching professional dancers on stage. Had the performance been 1% more exaggerated, it could quickly become an exhausting watch for a grown-up, but the performers find the right level of animation for this very specific production and finely balance the line of too much and just enough. A special mention to this particular performance youngest company member, Teddy Holton Frances as The Boy, who kept up with energy, charm, care, and
wonder throughout the entire performance. The snowman and the boy might be the duo of the year.
Set inside a snow globe, the set is adorable. It's precise, vibrant, and cleverly executed, and the audience is transported to a winter world full of striking visuals. Ruari Murchison's set and costume design is
thorough and essential for creating the very specific world of the show. The smart execution of temperature throughout the show really brings the story to life, and the magic of theatre is sure to excite the younger audience, particularly. The costumes are mostly stunning and true to previous years, but a few - like the snowmen costumes- could perhaps use a little revamp and a tad more structure. That being said, the costumes are generally gorgeous, silly, goofy, and delightful. Tim Mitchell's lighting design supports the set wholly and complements and completes the world. Robert North's choreography is athletic, wondering, and welcoming, and there are some beautiful duets throughout the show, for instance, between the ice princess and the snowman. It's another wonderful introduction for the youngest audience into movement and dance. The choreography fills in and blends lovely alongside the music, which of course,is an integral part of the show. The live orchestra in the pit is a real treat.
This production of The Snowman will put anyone in a warm and cozy Christmas mood. In it you will find lovely, sentimental exchanges, wonderful and striking visuals, and humorous moments that will make both children and grown-ups chuckle. Once the ensemble becomes an even closer unit, it will be a tight and flowing show, which also perhaps may solve some of the slight stutters around the pacing of different scenes and scene changes. This show is a wondrous introduction to the magic of theatre for any young person. The Snowman does what it sets out to do nicely. As the saying goes - if it's not broken, don't fix it!
It runs until 4 January. Tickets from £15: here.
Review: Levi R. Photos: Herbe Knott, Tristram Kenton