Light, fluffy and fun. Birmingham Rep presents its family Christmas classic The Snowman, for its 28th year at Sadler’s Wells’ home in the West End at the Peacock Theatre. The Snowman is an iconic fixture in the West End during London’s festive period and this year marks the 40th year anniversary of the classic Aled Jones recording, making the performance a special celebration of the beloved music.
Striped scarves and snow, snores and even squirrels, all the traditions of a British Christmas come alive through a little boy’s eyes. Think toy soldier and a moving train, a teddy, rabbit, and yes, the baddy, a sparkling Jack Frost. This colourful family production is magical stage adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Raymond Briggs and the film directed by Dianne Jackson. Excellently acted and all so delightful with funny interludes keeping the whole audience enamored.
The dance show which features the well-known music and lyrics by Howard Blake, including ‘Walking in the Air’, all played by a live orchestra, is choreographed by Robert North, directed by Bill Alexander and designed by Ruari Murchison, with lighting by Tim Mitchell.
This production follows the story of a young boy’s adventures when his snowman and
new friend comes in to reality on Christmas Eve. They embark on a magical adventure to the North Pole where they meet a variety of characters including dancing penguins, a snow princess and Father Christmas himself. The Snowman is also an opportune time to introduce dance for children.
This year’s production sees young performer Teddy Holton-Frances return to share the lead role as The Boy. was featured in last year’s documentary, The Snowman and Me, which followed his journey alongside another young performer Phoenix Beharry, from audition to opening night. The Snowman and Me is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The Snowman runs from November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2025. I would highly recommend it and I would return to see those waddling penguins and the flying characterful snowman spiralling into the roof of the theatre, the mist below, all to the soothing sounds of the well-known ballad.
The Snowman
Birmingham Rep
Peacock Theatre, WC2
Saturday 22 November 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2025
Tickets: £18 – £50
Ticket Office: 020 7863 8000 or www.sadlerswells.com
Relaxed Performance: Wednesday 3 December at 2.30pm
Audio Described Performance: Saturday 13 December at 7pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 13 December at 5.30-6pm
About Birmingham Rep
Birmingham Rep has been at the forefront of theatre in the UK for over 100 years.
The theatre’s long-running production of The Snowman celebrated its 32nd anniversary, alongside its forthcoming 28th consecutive season, at London’s Peacock Theatre.
The Rep has an unparalleled pioneering history and is the only producing theatre in the UK’s Second City. It is the oldest building-based theatre company in the UK, and the forerunner of both the RSC and the National Theatre.
The Rep’s mission is to create artistically ambitious, world class, popular theatre for everyone. The commissioning and production of new work lies at the core of The Rep’s programme and over the last 15 years the company has produced more than 130 new plays. As well as presenting over 60 productions on its three stages every year, the theatre tours its productions nationally and internationally.
The Rep’s acclaimed learning and outreach programme is one of the largest and most diverse of any arts organisation in the country. The Rep has nurtured new talent throughout its history – from Laurence Olivier and Peter Brook to its modern-day youth theatre, and the ground-breaking Rep Foundry theatre-makers programme, it has offered opportunity and training for thousands of early career writers, directors, and artists. Many of The Rep’s productions go on to have lives beyond Birmingham. Since 2021 Rep tours and transfers have included Of Mice and Men, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical, The Way Old Friends Do, The Play What I Wrote, Animal Farm and East is East.
