The Snowman is back this Christmas, treating families to the wonder of a boy and his frosty new friend flying to the North Pole to the strains of Walking in the Air.
Based on Raymond Briggs' book, and featuring Howard Blake's score from the film, the magical ballet is a perennial favourite - staged for the 27th year at The Peacock Theatre by Sadlers Wells with a cast of highly trained dancers.
It's a winter classic, but the suit is hot and heavy and the mask makes it hard to see - Martin Fenton shares the challenges of playing the lead role.
A: While many dancers start training in childhood, I came to dance relatively late. I took my first dance class at 17, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue it as a career. I trained intensively for three years, building on my background as a competitive gymnast, which helped prepare me for my journey into dance.
Q: What do you think is behind The Snowman’s enduring appeal?
A: It's such a huge part of Christmas for anyone who grew up in the UK. The show, the story, and the animation come back every season, and it just feels like a tradition. Every year, there’s a new wave of kids discovering it for the first time, and adults coming back to relive those childhood memories and soak up the holiday spirit. It’s one of those shows that brings everyone together. There’s something magical in it for everyone.
Q: Is the costume heavy and is it difficult to dance in?
A: My costume is definitely heavy, and that’s only part of the challenge! It also gets really warm inside, especially as I also have to wear gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Plus, the mask limits my vision quite a bit, which makes it tricky to move around. All of that makes it a real workout, but it’s worth it to bring the character to life!
Q: Do you have a routine for staying healthy and maintaining your energy levels during the season?
A: For me, the key to staying energised through the busy show season is getting to bed early whenever I can and making sure I get a solid eight hours of sleep. Staying hydrated is really important too, so I drink a lot of water throughout the day. It’s about keeping up those small habits that make a big difference.
Q: You have several younger co-stars - how do you build a rapport with them?
A: A lot of the storytelling depends on me and the young actors playing The Boy. We spend a lot of time in rehearsals with the creative team, making sure everything’s clear for the audience, which really helps us to become a strong team. The scenes can be really funny, so we have a lot of fun together, especially when we hear the kids in the audience laughing along with us.
Q: What's your favourite part of the show?
A: It’s hard to pick just one part — there’s something I enjoy in every scene. But if I had to choose, as a dancer, my favourite part has to be the duet with the Ice Princess. The choreography and music together are just beautiful, and it’s such a lovely moment in the show.
Q: What is your favourite Christmas tradition?
A: My life gets pretty busy, especially during the Christmas season, so my favourite tradition is simply spending a full day at home. I love opening presents, enjoying delicious homemade food, and just relaxing.
Q: Will you get a day off at Christmas?
A: Luckily there are no performances on Christmas Day which means I get to have the day off. With such a busy show schedule, Christmas Day feels like the eye of the storm for me and the cast, it’s our one real chance to catch our breath!
The Snowman runs at The Peacock Theatre, Holborn from November 23 until January 4.
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