Birmingham Rep has announced the full cast and creative team for its brand-new production of The Snowman, which will premiere at The Rep this autumn before transferring to Sadler’s Wells’ Peacock Theatre in London for the festive season.
Directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Will Tuckett, the new staging of Raymond Briggs’ beloved story will run at Birmingham Rep’s House theatre from 20 October to 1 November 2026, with a press night on 29 October, before opening at the Peacock Theatre from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Based on the classic wordless picture book by Raymond Briggs and featuring Howard Blake’s celebrated score, including the iconic “Walking in the Air”, the production marks a fresh reimagining of one of Britain’s most enduring Christmas shows.
Sharing the role of The Boy are Felix Anderson, Jake Durant, Tristan Marwa and Tate Masuku.
They will be joined by an ensemble cast featuring Teague Applegate, Andrew Ashton, Serafina Sofia Barbieri, Ross Black, Natasha Chu, Eleanor Copping, Kynda Ng, Alice O’Brien, Andrii Osadchyi, Suzy Osadchyi, Ben Randall and Aaron Smyth.
Also joining the creative team is Olivier Award-winning creature and costume effects designer Tahra Zafar, whose recent work includes creating Paddington Bear for Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre. Her extensive credits also include Antman III, Star Wars VII, In the Night Garden and the London 2012 Olympic ceremonies.
Zafar joins an award-winning creative team led by Tuckett, alongside production designer Anna Fleischle, video designer Nina Dunn, illusions designer Chris Fisher and puppet designer Daisy Beattie.
The original Birmingham Rep production first opened in 1993 and has since become the theatre’s longest-running production. It has also enjoyed a record-breaking run at Sadler’s Wells’ Peacock Theatre, where it became the West End’s longest-running festive show.
More than three decades after its original debut, the new production aims to introduce Briggs’ cherished story to a new generation of theatregoers.
Will Tuckett said: “It is incredibly exciting to be starting work on this re-imagining of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman with an absolutely first-class cast. With the brilliant Tahra Zafar joining the incredible team of creatives, we have everyone we need to shape this magical world into what will be a truly spectacular new staging. I cannot wait to share this world premiere with audiences of all ages.”
Birmingham Rep Artistic Director Joe Murphy added: “The Snowman has a very special place in the history of The Rep. For over 30 years this beloved production has enchanted thousands, possibly millions, of theatre-goers, for many of whom it will have been their introduction into the captivating world of theatre. With all the magic and joy of the original, and of course the unforgettable score by Howard Blake, this freshly-minted production looks set to thrill the next generation. I can’t wait for audiences to see what Will Tuckett and his exceptional team have created, and it’s a privilege and honour that it will premiere here in Birmingham at The Rep.”
Artistic Director and Co-Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells, Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, said: “The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre is always such a beloved part of our programming. For us, and our audiences, it heralds the start of the festive season. The fact that it has been the longest-running Christmas show in the West End speaks volumes to the timelessness of Raymond Briggs’ wonderful story. We can’t wait to see the magic this brilliant new cast and creative team will bring to the production.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
