Creator: Slava Polunin
Directors: Viktor Kramer and Slava Polunin
Slava’s Snowshow has been entertaining audiences since 1993, bringing joy and thoughtfulness to people across the world. Originally created by Slava Polunin, the Snowshow features Polunin’s trademark yellow-clad clown, Assisai, and a gaggle of dusty, cobweb-covered trench coat wearing clowns, who both help and hinder Assisai in his efforts throughout the show. Every clown wears a droopy red nose with bright white eye and mouth makeup atop a stubbly, slightly grubby face. In the way that only clowns can, this ensemble explores the human experiences of love, death, fear, joy, and attempts at connection with fantastic physicality and whimsy.
Slava’s Snowshow doesn’t have a clear story. It appears more as a compilation of scenes and interactions between Assisai and his musty green friends. However, as the show continues, a narrative becomes clearer, one that follows clown logic and moves forward even when it becomes blocked for some reason. Assisai, although not played by Slava Polunin himself, is portrayed throughout as an incessantly hopeful yet inherently sad character. He is constantly searching for connection and validation from the audience, his fellow clowns, and the props and set around him. Sometimes it works, and he is overjoyed. Sometimes, he is denied and he dips into sadness, but not for long, because something else always comes along for him to try again. Assisai and his fellow clowns work together seamlessly as performers, using their incredible physical skill in combination with excellent responsiveness and teamwork. They’re so in sync that when an audience member laughed loudly in a quiet moment, Assisai and his main partner clown looked up simultaneously and acknowledged the laugh, without missing the next beat of the scene.
The six clowns populating this world of snow for Assisai bring together hints of cheekiness with a faded sadness, and are very clearly six characters in their own right, sheltering against while also enjoying the perpetual winter they’ve found themselves in. The world of the Snowshow (designed by Polunin and Viktor Plotnikov) appears at first to be created in by fluffy but sturdy looking walls which can transform from a dismal street corner to a bedroom to an icy sea. However, they are actually soft and pliable, and help transform the stage into an even snowier world. Music and sound effects (by Polunin and Roman Dubinnikov) and lighting help to steer the story, taking on a life of their own. Props are used to incredible effect. Sometimes a simple broom is the funniest object someone could have onstage. Similarly, there are whimsical and fantastical props appearing onstage which create wonder and magic through their simplicity. Everything is necessary and also completely unnecessary, and therefore works brilliantly to bring Slava’s Snowshow together.
Contradiction, magic, desperation, boundless joy, tragedy, wonder, tenderness, melancholy, silliness, love, and every other human emotion possible is showed with full truth onstage. Attendees of Slava’s Snowshow can expect that truthfulness and leave everything else to be unexpected. With confetti snowing in impossible places, clowns appearing at any second, and Slava himself in attendance, this show should be a sellout: a snowy treat for children of all ages. Birmingham seems to have underappreciated this opportunity to witness Slava’s Snowshow, so don’t let it pass you by. Dust off your parka for the perfect start to winter and the festive season. Slava’s Snowshow is a not-to-be-missed spectacular treat.
Runs until 15 November 2025 and on tour
The Reviews Hub Star Rating
100%
Silly Spectacular Snow