On Boxing Day in 1982, the nation was graced with the short film The Snowman. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, a talented team of animators managed to replicate the original art style, with the film staying as true to the book as possible. Combined with Howard Blake’s iconic score, this film has become a Christmas staple ever since.

The stage version premiered 25 year ago and has been playing in theatres in the UK and abroad since, including the last 21 consecutive years in the West End at the Peacock Theatre. The story must be well known by now: a boy builds a snowman on Christmas Eve, and when he can’t sleep that night he sneaks out of the house to find his snowman has come to life.

The movement and choreography in this show is very strong. As a show with no speaking, the only communication can be through physicality, and with distinct characterisations it made each character feel unique. With the iconic “Walking in the Air” moment, as simple as it was, it still left a strong impression and felt very much like a moment ripped from the film.

Sadly that magic isn’t always there. The opening sections came with some very weak acting, which didn’t set up the show the best it could. A lot of the magic was also lost due to the limited live music. There was a band, but when the band is drowned out by MIDI synths it is hard to get caught up in the spectacle. The same can also be said for the mimed singing and playing of the carollers at the start. If I wanted to experience pre-recorded music, I’d listen to a CD. Please don’t let this trend of “Just use synth, the audience won’t notice” carry on. We do notice, and we don’t like it.

My biggest issue though, was the amount of padding in the show. The original book was only thirty-two pages, the short film was under half an hour, and yet the stage show is nearly two hours long. If the new material you’re adding brings something to the show, I have no issue with it. But it seems like a lot of sections were a little drawn out for the sake of having a full-length show rather than to improve the story.

I had very mixed feelings watching this show. Several elements are brilliant, while others are disappointing or frustrating. It is undeniable that a lot of passion that has gone into this revival, and the audience were enjoying themselves, but I’d argue that more could be done to make the show even more magical. It may be “just a kids’ show”, but they deserve better than “just a kids’ show”, especially if we want future generations to keep theatre alive.   ★★★☆☆    Jeremy Ulster   17^th January 2019

Photo by Tristram Kenton