Ad not shown

Slava's Snow Show

4
Slava Polunin's now famous show touring the UK and seen in Bristol.
By Robert Iles - 24th Nov 2017

Many greens in ship - brighter (photo by Veronique Vial)This is my fifth time seeing Slava's Snow Show over an 8 year period and the actual snowy scene I first saw in 2006 as part of Cirque du Soleil's Alegria in the Royal Albert Hall - it blew me away and made me a lifelong fan of Russian and Eastern European clowning - as far from the British version as you can possibly imagine.

I think, in the early days, I perhaps saw it a bit too often so I was glad of a long break and of the chance to see it again and I was delighted to find that it is still one hell of a show! The highlight moment (no spoilers!) was more effective than when last I saw this on stage and made me tingle - it is without doubt the most purely theatrical and powerful bit of staging I know, in any show. Knowing what was coming, we sat and took it whilst those around us squealed in delight and turned away - this is one to take full in the face if you want maximum thrill!

The first half of the show is a series of small stories between the greens and the yellows, these are each quite magical - entertaining for the children in the audience and thought provoking for the adults. I love them and the end of the first act is quite special with the whole audience becoming involved. though the spider moment was lost on much of the audience around us as they were too involved in the web - a shame.

The second half is essentially the Snow Show proper, a magical tale told with breathtaking skill. Having seen it before I know the story, it used to make me cry but seemed to have lost its power in the translation to this stage. The narrative has become disjoint, the loss of the little train and the now fleeting village mean we do not feel the full power of the journey and I'm afraid that the final demise was completely lost - to say I miss the death in the clowning sounds strange but when seen in its entirety this is a completely overwhelming piece of theatre.

There are many really magical moments in this show and I would urge anyone who loves theatre to see it at least once in their life to get a feel for exactly how touching and entertaining clowing can be ... stay through the interval and linger when the show is over, there are some experiences that I promise you will never forget.


Latest News & Reviews

19th Nov 24 :: Review: [title of show]
Showing at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough) until 30 November 2024
4
11th Nov 24 :: Review: A Trio of Tennessee Williams
Seen at The Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol
3
30th Oct 24 :: Review: Black is the Color of My Voice
Touring production seen in Worthing
5
29th Oct 24 :: Review: The Creakers
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to London Christmas run.
4
24th Oct 24 :: RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme
The winner has been announced
23rd Oct 24 :: Review: The Flea
A flea bite sparks a royal scandal in this razor-sharp exploration of power, desire, and Victorian hypocrisy.
5
22nd Oct 24 :: UKTW Looking for new partners
UKTW is looking for new relationships now that the near 30 year listings supply contract with Whatsonstage is coming to an end.
21st Oct 24 :: UK Theatre Awards
The Winners have been Announced.
19th Oct 24 :: Review: The Commotion Time
Seen at the Exeter Northcott Theatre
5
18th Oct 24 :: Review: Tattooer
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre.
3
18th Oct 24 :: Review: Rigoletto
Verdi's opera by the Welsh National Opera seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
14th Oct 24 :: Touring Strictly Stars
See the professionals on tour
14th Oct 24 :: Turbine to Close
The Turbine Theatre is to close in December
11th Oct 24 :: Review: La Fille Mal Gardee
Birmingham Royal Ballet tour seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
9th Oct 24 :: The Box Five Club
The new dedicated home for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals.
3rd Oct 24 :: Review: One Small Step
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre
2
1st Oct 24 :: Review: & Juliet
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
5
25th Sep 24 :: Review: Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie's murder mystery - touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
4
18th Sep 24 :: Review: The History Boys
20th Anniversary tour seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
4
16th Sep 24 :: Review: The Story of My Life
Seen at the Stage Door Theatre in London
4

Most Popular Stories

Viewings over the last 14 days
 
A Trio of Tennessee Williams
Seen at The Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol
Posted 11th Nov 24 :: 161 views
The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Summerhall
Posted 21st Aug 24 :: 155 views
The Commotion Time
Seen at the Exeter Northcott Theatre
Posted 19th Oct 24 :: 107 views
Black is the Color of My Voice
Touring production seen in Worthing
Posted 30th Oct 24 :: 95 views
The Flea
A flea bite sparks a royal scandal in this razor-sharp exploration of power, desire, and Victorian hypocrisy.
Posted 23rd Oct 24 :: 92 views
Rigoletto
Verdi's opera by the Welsh National Opera seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth
Posted 18th Oct 24 :: 90 views
Tattooer
Seen at the Charing Cross Theatre.
Posted 18th Oct 24 :: 87 views
UK Theatre Awards
The Winners have been Announced.
Posted 21st Oct 24 :: 84 views
The Creakers
Seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to London Christmas run.
Posted 29th Oct 24 :: 79 views
RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme
The winner has been announced
Posted 24th Oct 24 :: 78 views
[title of show]
Showing at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough) until 30 November 2024
Posted 19th Nov 24 :: 75 views
UKTW Looking for new partners
UKTW is looking for new relationships now that the near 30 year listings supply contract with Whatsonstage is coming to an end.
Posted 22nd Oct 24 :: 70 views
Still Floating
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe
Posted 18th Aug 22 :: 54 views
The Grim
Seen at The Edinburgh Fringe, Underbelly Bristo Square
Posted 19th Aug 24 :: 43 views
Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Touring production seen at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Posted 2nd Apr 24 :: 43 views
The Big Bite-Sized Breakfast (Menu 2)
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Pleasance Beyond
Posted 10th Aug 24 :: 41 views
The Daughters of Roisin
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Pleasance Courtyard
Posted 18th Aug 24 :: 41 views
1954. Ella, Etta, Eartha
Seen at the Edinburgh Fringe, Augustines
Posted 8th Aug 24 :: 37 views
The Story of My Life
Seen at the Stage Door Theatre in London
Posted 16th Sep 24 :: 36 views

Ad not shown


Mastodon X - Twitter © Dynamic Listing Ltd, UK. 1995-2024