Photo credit: Johan Persson
Raymond Briggs’ beloved The Snowman returns home to Birmingham in a brand-new production presented by Birmingham Rep and Sadler’s Wells. Directed and choreographed by Will Tuckett, this magical retelling brings the familiar story to life through beautiful movement, imaginative staging and Howard Blake’s iconic score.
The story follows a young boy whose snowman comes to life one winter’s night, taking him on an extraordinary adventure filled with magical encounters, friendship and, of course, a flight through the night sky. The production relies on movement, music and visual storytelling to capture the magic of the original story, and it does so brilliantly.
There is an enormous responsibility placed on the young performer playing The Boy, who is on stage for almost the entire duration. The role is shared by four young performers, Felix Anderson, Jake Durant, Tristan Marwa and Tate Masuku, and the demands placed on them are hugely impressive. At this performance, Tate handles the role wonderfully, navigating intricate choreography, interacting with puppets, props and an ever-changing set, all while maintaining precise timing. Add to this the challenge of being attached to a harness and flown through the air on several occasions, and it really is a remarkable achievement for such a young performer.
The entire company is fantastic, delivering expressive, technically precise performances that demonstrate just how effective dance can be as a storytelling tool. Tuckett's direction and choreography ensures that every movement serves a purpose, allowing the narrative to unfold naturally without the need for words. The first half relies more heavily on storytelling through gesture and expressive movement, while the second half introduces more intricate and technically demanding dance sequences. This progression works particularly well, allowing the movement to develop alongside the story while showcasing the impressive versatility of the company.
The Snowman himself is immediately captivating, helped enormously by Tahra Zafar's beautifully designed costume. It perfectly captures the familiar character while allowing him to move with warmth, personality and charm.
Daisy Beattie's puppet design is another impressive element of the production, with the puppets playing an important role in the storytelling and interacting seamlessly with the performers throughout. Their design allows them to move with the same grace and precision as the dancers, making them feel like a natural extension of the company rather than simply an additional visual feature.
Anna Fleischle's production design is equally impressive. The full-sized physical set, particularly the house that continually turns, opens and transforms as the story progresses, and is cleverly incorporated into the movement and direction. It creates a world that feels tangible while allowing the action to flow seamlessly between scenes. Nina Dunn's video design complements this beautifully. Projection can sometimes feel like a substitute for physical scenery, but here it enhances an already substantial set, adding an extra layer of magic and working alongside the beautiful lighting to create some genuinely enchanting moments.
Howard Blake's much-loved music is performed expertly by the live orchestra, bringing a richness and warmth to the production that recorded music simply couldn't replicate. Hearing the familiar score performed live is a real highlight, and it is lovely to see the orchestra come on stage to take a well-deserved bow at the end. Of course, the iconic ‘Walking in the Air’ sequence is a truly magical moment. Watching The Boy and The Snowman soar above the stage as the music swells is breathtaking, capturing everything that makes this story so special.
The Snowman is a beautifully crafted piece of theatre that captures the magic of a story loved by generations. It is a fantastic experience for audiences young and old, with plenty to enchant children experiencing the story for the first time and just as much for adults who have grown up loving it.
A truly magical production that brings a beloved story to life with breathtaking moments, beautiful storytelling and wonder for all ages.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Tara Whenray