Silent, dynamic and inherently nostalgic, Slava’s Snow Show is an incredibly memorable theatre experience. Created by the Russian clown Slava Polunin, with the original premiering in Moscow in 1993, it has travelled the world and is beloved by audiences everywhere, and rightfully so.

The show extends beyond the stage, both physically and metaphorically. It is consistently a highly immersive experience, even during the interval, with no single clown breaking character. The white paper confetti flowed through the auditorium as snow and with the occasional burst of bubbles and fog, the set came alive. Amidst the wonder, children and adults alike reached out from their seats to pop a bubble, feel the fog and collect the snow as a souvenir. The enthusiasm in the hall from the tactile feel of the snow and the clowns playing around with the audience cheers like a conducted orchestra won’t lose your attention for a single moment.

On the stage, however, is where the magic truly lies. From the music, the lighting, the costumes and the set, to the movement, the act and the contrasts that create a truly artistic atmosphere.

The music is a prominent feature of the production as it directs the whole mood of the show. Rarely leaving the auditorium quiet for a minute with a pleasant mix of classical and popular tracks, the score involves absolute gems like Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14, Jorge Ben’s Mas Que Nada sung by Luiz Henrique, Vangelis’ Chariots of Fire, and many more.

The lighting had a limited range which contributed to the abstract attributes of the visuals and perfectly complemented the simple but textured walls, portraying the night sky in winter. As the costumes of the other clowns blend with the cool tones on the stage, Slava’s attire is in complete contrast through colour, accessories and shape, contributing to the visual aesthetics of a clown in a winter wonderland. All this works together to make sure Slava stands out.

Amongst all this is of course, the brilliant act itself. The movement and absence of dialogue from the clowns bring about a rather comforting feeling of nostalgia. I found it to be reminiscent of cartoons from my childhood and black and white silent films, especially the Charlie Chaplin franchise. The actors’ performances were very impressive, the sheer skill and ability to deliver the character of Slava is quite commendable.

Being a group of clowns, the act was certainly amusing and silly on the surface, primarily to entertain the younger audience, but certain scenes really made you question whether to laugh or to contemplate. The opening scene itself has you wanting to dig deeper as Slava’s character toys with a noose. Just through the contrast within the clowns’ outfits, Slava appears isolated at times. His actions are poetic and just slightly tragic behind the mask of a clown putting on a show. He entertains you and makes you laugh, yet he leaves you curious, he leaves you wanting to understand him better, he leaves you with thoughts trailing on hours after the performance has ended. The snow is more than the setting or the weather, it becomes a running metaphor for the letter he tears up, letting the pieces mix with the confetti.

An absolute must watch for people across all ages – for a laugh, for contemplation, for a picturesque winter play.

Rating: 4.5/5

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