The Snowman returns in a new production at Birmingham Rep
Credit: Johan Persson
By Grace Hatchell
Fetch your scarf, because Birmingham Rep has released a first look at its brand-new production of The Snowman. And yes, we’re talking snow before November. The shops have had Christmas on the shelves for weeks, so the theatre is perfectly entitled to join in.
Currently playing at The Rep until Sunday 1 November 2026, this fresh staging of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved story is directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Will Tuckett. Its Birmingham press night takes place on Thursday 29 October at 6pm, before the production heads to London’s Peacock Theatre from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Based on Briggs’ wordless picture book and its celebrated animated film adaptation, the show features Howard Blake’s music, including Walking in the Air. There are certain melodies that only need a few notes before you can practically feel the cold air and see the rooftops beneath you. That is certainly one of them.
Felix Anderson, Jake Durant, Tristan Marwa and Tate Masuku share the role of The Boy. They are joined by dancers Teague Applegate, Andrew Ashton, Serafina Sofia Barbieri, Ross Black, Tasha Chu, Eleanor Copping, Kynda Ng, Alice O’Brien, Andrii Osadchyi, Suzy Osadchyi, Ben Randall and Aaron Smyth.
Tuckett’s previous work includes Into the Woods at the Royal Opera House and The Nutcracker for the National Ballet of Japan. Here, he leads a creative team bringing together design, puppetry, illusions and flying. Well, you can hardly promise Walking in the Air and then make everyone take the bus.
Production design comes from Anna Fleischle, whose credits include Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Hangmen and 2:22 A Ghost Story. Nina Dunn provides video design for PixelLux, with illusions by Chris Fisher, whose work includes Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Back to the Future and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Daisy Beattie, whose credits include The BFG, Spirited Away and The Enormous Crocodile, designs the puppets. The Snowman costume is designed by Tahra Zafar, whose extensive career spans theatre, film and major live events, including work on the London 2012 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and the design of Paddington Bear for Paddington The Musical.
Lighting is by Matt Daw, with sound by Kelsh Buckman-Drage and musical direction by Andy Massey. Floyd Hughes and Adam Bailey oversee the flying for Flying by Foy. The team also includes casting director Amy Beadel for Grindrod Burton Casting, associate puppetry director Emma Brunton, associate production designer Kezi Ferguson and assistant director and choreographer Paul James Rooney.
The Snowman has a long history with Birmingham Rep. Its original production opened in 1993 and became the theatre’s longest-running production, travelling across the UK and establishing a much-loved festive residency at the Peacock Theatre.
This new staging carries that story forward for another generation. For families who remember the book, the film or an earlier theatre visit, there is the chance to return to something familiar. For children meeting The Boy and his snowy companion for the first time, the adventure is still waiting.
The Snowman runs at Birmingham Rep until Sunday 1 November 2026. Tickets are available through birmingham-rep.co.uk or the box office on 0121 236 4455.
The production then plays the Peacock Theatre in London from Saturday 21 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with tickets available through sadlerswells.com.
Scarves ready, then. We’ve some flying to do.
