Slava’s Snow Show

★★★★☆     Spirited

Festival Theatre: Wed 3 – Sat 6 Dec 2014
Review: Sarah Moyes

There are clowns, snowflakes and bubbles galore as the spectacular Slava’s Snowshow returns to Edinburgh’s Festival theatre until Sunday.

This visually stunning show first made its appearance on stage in 1993 having been created and staged by Russian performance artists Slava Polunin. Since then it’s been captivating audiences in over 80 countries around the world, and now it’s back in the capital for the first time since 2014.

Blue Canary and two greens. Pic: A.Lopez

As the show starts we’re introduced to Assissiai, a lone clown dressed in yellow who just stares out into the audience with a sad expression on his face. Over the course of the performance, the audience is taken on a journey with Assissiai as he is followed around by a group of green clowns who spend most of their time trying to tease him.

When all the clowns are onstage together there are some fantastic laugh out loud moments thanks to great slapstick comedy sketches.

But when Assissiai is by himself, the loneliness he feels portrays some heartfelt moments.

In one scene, he puts his arm through a coat on a hat stand just so he has someone to give him a hug. It might look cold on stage, but that’s enough to melt anyone’s heart tonight.

audience interaction

One of the best things about the show is the audience interaction throughout. It makes you feel like part of the show rather than someone who is just watching it. There are huge balls that bounce around the room, a giant cobweb that’s pulled across the audience and clowns who run around squirting people with water.

The Spider Web. Pic: A. Lopez.

If you’re someone who enjoys audience interaction, then the front stalls are where you want to be seated to make sure you’re in the centre of all the action. Just watch out for your bag as the clowns have been known to try to run off with them.

Not only are these moments created for the children in the audience (the show is recommended for children aged 8 and over), but they are there to sweep the adults away in the enchantment that can be found in the simplest of things.



The show closes with what can only be described as an enormous snowstorm which engulfs the entire theatre, even if you’re on the balcony you’ll find yourself picking white confetti out your hair as you leave.

It might not be the show that you want to watch over and over, but it’s so full of charm and wonder that you need to step inside the giant snow globe that is Slava’s Snowshow at least once. Chances are it’ll be one of the most magical show you’ll ever see.

Running time 1 hour 45 minutes including interval
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street EH8 9FT
Wednesday 1 – Sunday 5  November 2017
Evenings: Wed, Thu & Sat 7.30pm; Fri 8.30pm. Matinees: Thu & Sat 2.30pm; Fri 5pm; Sun 2pm.
Tickets from http://www.edtheatres.com/slava.

Slava’s Snowshow website: http://slavasnowshow.co.uk/.

ENDS

Tags: Festival Theatre, Review, Sarah Moyes, Slava Polunin, Slava Snow Show, Slava's Snowshow