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The Snowman
Birmingham Rep
**** JUST when temperatures are set to plummet
along comes a show oozing warmth, colour and excitement which sends the
audience home aglow with pleasure. The Snowman was created at the Rep 20 years ago
and has since made regular appearances in the West End as well as
touring the world. Welcome home. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs, it is a
fantasy adventure in which a young boy helps build a snowman outside his
home and wakes to begin a delightful fantasy adventure when his new pal
in the big floppy hat comes alive. When the many youngsters surrounding you in the
auditorium stop munching their bags of sweets because they are gripped
by the action on stage, it’s clear you are experiencing something
special. On opening night James Leece played the loveable
Snowman and the first act ended with him flying spectacularly high above
stage, hand-in-hand with Cameron James Sutherland, The Boy, on their way
to meet a group of amazing characters, including an amusing Father
Christmas (Federico Casadei), a Cowboy Snowman (Russell Fine) and even a
Fred Astaire snowman (Cameron Ball). And Leece earns special applause for his ballet
with the beautiful Ice Princess played by Tomoyo Tanimoto Jequier, as
well as his battle with the evil Jack Frost (Domenico Ramelli) who gets
a ‘Glasgow Kiss’ from Scotty Snowman (Hannah Flynn). Robert North’s clever choreography is a major
plus in the show, while musical director David Quigley and the orchestra
impress with a range of tunes, Aled Jones’ latest version of Walking In
The Air being perfect for a show that will melt your heart and fire the
imagination with so many colourful costumes and imaginative sets. Directed by Bill Alexander, The Snowman runs to
15-01-17 Paul Marston |
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