The Snowman, Peacock Theatre

"Whatever your age, it's impossible not to be won over by the many weird and wonderful characters that populate this show, be in the real world think, for example, dancing fruit or in the magical, snow-carpeted home of Father Christmas, whose arrival, his generous proportions encased in the traditional white fur-trimmed red suit, topped by a long white beard, never fails to bring about the loudest stir of excitement among the young audience."

"Raymond Briggs's 1978 illustrated book, The Snowman, is aimed at young children and is, therefore, quite short, but it's captivating, and over the years it's provided the starting point for a number of adaptations, starting with a relatively unassuming half-hour animation created for Channel 4 in 1982, which has been broadcast every Christmas season since. A large part of its charm came from the musical score especially created by the prolific composer Howard Blake, anchored by the ethereal song, Walking in the Air'."

The stage production of Raymond Briggs's The Snowman has charmed audiences for decades, playing the Peacock Theatre for 28 years and attracting returning adults who first saw it as children. The show features whimsical characters from dancing fruit to a snow-carpeted Father Christmas whose entry excites young audiences. The Birmingham Repertory Theatre production feels fresh each year despite its longevity. The original 1978 illustrated book inspired a 1982 half-hour Channel 4 animation and later adaptations. The score by Howard Blake, anchored by the ethereal song 'Walking in the Air', became integral, with a hit recording by Aled Jones in 1985.

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