REVIEW: The Snowman
One of the most endearing animated Christmas films of all time receives a stunning new stage premiere in Birmingham.
The Snowman is now playing at The Birmingham Rep.
Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman book was published in 1978, and the wordless picture book immediately grabbed the attention of children everywhere. Even parents were captivated by the clean and open flow of the book which took readers on a poignant and poetic journey through childhood and the relentless march of time that eventually steals away the things we love and hold dear.
The simplicity and purity of the book breaks down barriers of age and language, and it speaks as directly, honestly and openly to a refugee child fleeing a war zone as it does to an elderly Classics professor at Cambridge University.
The British animated film, which originally included an introduction by the author (it was later edited and singer David Bowie recorded an introduction), was broadcast on Channel-4 in 1984 and the impact was so seismic that the cartoon has now become a standard part of Christmas TV in the UK.
Over the years there have been a number of adaptations of The Snowman including a vinyl release with Bernard Cribbins narrating a spoken-word version with original music by composer Howard Blake, and also a spellbinding stage adaptation by The Birmingham Rep which has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years.
The Birmingham Rep now presents a brand new production which aims to tap into modern theatre wizardry and magic which will thrill existing fans and also enchant a whole new generation.
The charming story of The Snowman has become a part of the cultural landscape and people across all racial, class, and religious backgrounds are very familiar with the tale of a young lad waking up one wintry morning to discover that snow has fallen which immediately inspires him to rush out and make a snowman who will magically come to life and change the world of the little boy in profound and life changing ways.
The transient nature of existence, the fading of childhood, the bittersweet nature of growing up and mortality are highlighted in the most heartbreaking way possible, and the little boy will learn more about truth in a pile of melting snow than he will ever learn in a big book of ethics and philosophy.
Briggs’ tale does not showcase the sickly-sweet, sanitised and commercial view of Christmas that has been hijacked, packaged and sold on a conveyor belt to consumers whenever the festive season approaches.
The Snowman has lasted for as long as it has because the appeal of the story goes into the very heart of life. Themes such as freedom, fun, friendship, innocence, joy, adventure, truth, and accepting that nothing except love lasts forever are what keep children and adults returning to this powerful story.
Former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Will Tuckett directs and choreographs the show and the update looks fresh, vibrant and dreamy. As soon as the audience starts to filter into the auditorium and take to their seats the stage is already alive with 3D visuals that show snow falling down, and as the flakes settle and pile up, the title of the show emerges from the snow.
Anna Fleischle’s production design is so bewitching that within seconds of the curtain going up the audience are totally hooked into the world of The Snowman. The beguiling landscape of the winter wonderland evokes childhood memories of snow cloaking the land and children frolicking about with joy as they throw snowballs or build a snowman. Fleishchle’s creative designs for this show bring alive Briggs’ book in ingenious ways. The coloured pencil art of the book, and the pastels and crayons of the animated film, are gorgeously rendered in this new production.
This show is not a juvenile pantomime, or some schlocky Christmas themed show designed to cash in and milk the audience for cheap laughs. From beginning to end, the production grips the senses and takes the mind on an unforgettable flight where every panel and every page of Briggs’ illustrated book comes to life on the stage in ways that engage and delight.
There is an instantaneous feeling of euphoria when the Snowman takes flight with the boy and the first bars of Walking in the Air chime around the stage and hauntingly filter into the auditorium where audience members gasp and look up with wonder and amazement. The emotional pull of Howard Blake's music and the theatrical spectacle combine to unlock memories of Christmases past which makes the eyes moist with tears as we recall moments spent together during the festive season with loved ones who are no longer with us.
The little boy receives the gift of a scarf at the end of the story, and the audience in this new staging of The Snowman receives the tender gift of reflection and contemplation.
The puppet design in this show is so lifelike that you will believe a reindeer is walking across the stage of The Birmingham Rep. Daisy Beattie has done fantastic work on shows such as The BFG, Spirited Away, and The Enormous Crocodile the Musical, yet she outdoes herself in The Snowman. She unlocks the imagination of the audience with her uncanny and remarkable designs in this show.
Tahra Zafar - whose theatre and film work includes War Horse, Harry Potter, The Batman, Star Wars, Paddington, X-Men - has designed a new Snowman that is one of the theatrical highlights of the year. Zafar’s Snowman not only blinks and smiles, but he also moves with real elegance and fluid flexibility. Her work in this show deserves a nomination when the Awards season comes around.
Andrew Ashton, who takes on the role of the Snowman, uses his dancing skills to verbalise the unspoken dialogue of the title character. Everything he does, whether innocently larking about in the parents’ bedroom, or poignantly waving farewell to the little boy at the climax, are nuanced with emotional details that are relayed to the audience in subtle ways.
Director Tuckett has selected four young lads - Felix, Tristan, Jake, and Tate - for the part of the boy. The boys are selected especially for their dancing skills, and on press night the role of the little boy was performed by Tate, and he absolutely charmed the socks off the audience. His dance steps, his body language, his witty and dramatic turns, and his charismatic personality resonated with the people.
This joyful and thoughtful show will appeal to families, and it will ignite memories for fans of the book and animated film.
The Snowman is a warmhearted show that will melt your heart.
Verdict: ★★★★★
The Snowman is now running at The Birmingham Rep Sunday 1st November 2026
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