Birmingham Rep reveals new Snowman ahead of Birmingham premiere and London run
Birmingham Rep has released rehearsal photos for its new production of The Snowman ahead of its Birmingham premiere and London Christmas season. WhatsOnStage published the images on 2 October 2026. The production is directed and choreographed by Will Tuckett.
It will play The House at Birmingham Rep from 20 October to 1 November 2026, with a press night on 29 October. It then runs at the Peacock Theatre in London from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The London dates take a Birmingham-made show into a commercial West End house.
Four performers share one role. Felix Anderson, Jake Durant, Tristan Marwa and Tate Masuku will alternate as The Boy. The wider company includes Teague Applegate and Andrew Ashton, who were named by the Rep when rehearsals began in Birmingham in September. Birmingham Rep
The creative team brings in a new name for a familiar costume. Tahra Zafar has joined as Snowman costume designer. Zafar created the Paddington Bear costume for Paddington The Musical, for which she won a WhatsOnStage Award and an Olivier Award. The rest of the team includes designer Anna Fleischle, video designer Nina Dunn for PixelLux, illusions by Chris Fisher and puppet design by Daisy Beattie.
The Rep first staged The Snowman in 1993. It is based on Raymond Briggs' picture book and features Howard Blake's score, including 'Walking in the Air'. That staging became the company's longest-running production and held a 29-year seasonal residency at the Peacock Theatre.
The Rep bills the 2026 version as the world premiere of a brand-new production. Birmingham Rep Rehearsals are under way in Birmingham.
Earlier this year, musicians with links to the show made a public case for live accompaniment. Members of The Snowman orchestra urged the Rep to retain live music in the new staging, The Stage reported in March. The report said the players had rehearsed together in the Regent's Park Open Air rehearsal studio.
For families, this means a familiar story in a fresh shape. The dates cover October half-term in Birmingham and the full Christmas period in London.
