History

Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s production of The Snowman has been delighting audiences across the UK since 1993, and in 2009 made its international debut when it flew into Seoul, Korea, where it played to packed houses night after night. But how did it all begin?

September 1993, and the animated short film and its accompanying theme tune Walking In The Air had already secured their places as Christmas classics in the hearts of the nation.

The REP’s then Artistic Director Bill Alexander approached Howard Blake, composer of the film’s score and the song Walking In The Air, to ask how he’d feel about working with The REP to create a full length stage version of The Snowman. Having just completed a short ballet of the story with Choreographer Robert North in Sweden, Howard convinced Bill that the way forward for The Snowman should be a full length dance piece, for which he would write more music, and more characters could be added. Bill was convinced, and the show opened at The REP for Christmas 1993.

From the very first night, audiences loved it. Here was a truly magical show, which could be enjoyed by people of all ages. So much so that just four years later, in 1997, The REP put on its hat and scarf, stepped into the snow and rebuilt The Snowman for a second Christmas season. This time, the show attracted interest from a number of London producers, all keen to fly The Snowman to their theatre to share his magic with their audiences. It was eventually agreed that the show would be co-produced with Sadlers Wells and would run at The Peacock Theatre in the West End. The set, props and costumes were transported to London, and the show went on, as it has done every Christmas since, becoming the most successful and longest-running Christmas show in London.

As well as playing at The Peacock each year, The Snowman has also returned home to The REP regularly, and in 2008 made appearances in Salford and Edinburgh, when The REP built a second whole production of The Snowman enabling simultaneous showings in different cities.

2009 saw The Snowman flying to Korea, as he made his international debut in Seoul. What will the next stamp in the Snowman’s passport be? Keep checking this website to track his progress – we’re sure he’ll be melting the hearts of children across the world for many years to come.