When it comes to theatre, there are Christmas traditions – and then there are institutions. Birmingham Rep’s The Snowman, now in its 28th year at Sadler’s Wells’ West End home, the Peacock Theatre, sits firmly in the latter category.
Returning this season to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Aled Jones’s iconic recording of “Walking in the Air”, the production feels both comfortingly familiar and newly invigorated. Perhaps that’s the magic of it: the ability to conjure nostalgia while still delighting a new generation, wide-eyed and wriggling in their seats.
I visited with my eight-year-old son, who approached the performance with a mixture of excitement and forensic curiosity. For him, half the fun was trying to work out how things worked: how the furniture disappeared; who moved what during the curtain drops; and, most of all, how on earth the Snowman and the Boy took flight. That moment – just before the interval – remains a coup de théâtre. The audience collectively inhaled, as my son lurched forward, intent on deciphering the illusion.
Bill Alexander’s direction and Robert North’s choreography preserve the show’s gentle storytelling while allowing for moments of mischief and flair. Early on, a sweet duet between the Snowman and the cat culminates in a comic tail-pull, earning chuckles from children and adults alike.
An eccentric tropical fruit routine – featuring a pineapple, coconut and banana – leans into the show’s more psychedelic tendencies. That they end up stored neatly back in the fridge afterwards (a detail that prompted my son to lean over and whisper, “bananas don’t go in the fridge!”) adds to the surreal humour.
The simple, effective set by Ruari Murchison means the story glides from domestic warmth to winter dreamscape without fuss. I enjoyed the sequence with the Boy and the Snowman watching television together, flicking through channels that swing from cowboy shoot-outs to Christmas carols.
The charm of the show lies, partly, in its parade of characters. There’s a motorbike chase through the forest, populated by a squirrel, rabbit, badger and fox who wiggle, scamper and preen with irresistible personality.
A toy-box scene brings a ballerina, teddy bear, soldier and model train set to life, an enchanting reminder of childhood blurring between imagination and reality. And of course, the dancing penguins are adorable with their cheeky slapstick, while Father Christmas himself garners a rousing cheer.
During a solo dance number, just as a young child behind us muttered, “I’m bored,” Father Christmas released a perfectly timed comic fart, restoring interest and setting off a ripple of giggles among nearby adults.
The music, performed live by an orchestra visible in the pit, breathes warmth and colour into the production. Hearing “Walking in the Air” played in real time lends the moment a freshness; both a nod to tradition and a celebration of this 40-year milestone.
Young performer Teddy Holton-Frances, returning to share the role of the Boy after last year’s appearance and his feature in the BBC documentary The Snowman and Me, is brilliant in the role; a talented actor and dancer.
The emotional weight of the story’s ending – faithful to Raymond Briggs’s 1978 original – had some children in tears. Yet the production softens the blow: snow drifts down over the audience, and the Boy’s final smile suggests hope and the tantalising possibility of a new Snowman to come.
Practicalities matter when it comes to family theatre, and here the Peacock excels. A large buggy park, plentiful staff, and photo opportunities with the Snowman kept spirits buoyant even before the house lights dimmed. The auditorium was around “91% full,” according to my son’s calculation, yet queues for drinks were non-existent and the atmosphere remained relaxed and festive.
This is a gorgeous Christmas institution, much like Briggs’s picture book and the TV film. For those seeking a family tradition or a first introduction to dance for young children, there is nothing quite like it.
The Snowman runs at the Peacock Theatre until 4th January 2026. For more information, and for tickets, please visit www.sadlerswells.com.
