THE SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW (12-player version) op.459 (September 1993) Listen to this Work

VERSION WITHDRAWN A full-evening theatre show in two acts, based on the book by Raymond Briggs, the film by TVC and incorporating the music of the ballet

Commissioned by: Birmingham Repertory Company
Instrumentation: 2 flutes (piccs),Oboe(CA), 2 clar (2=b/cl), bassoon, 2 Horns, Trumpet, Percussion, piano, synth(strings/harp)

[Key to Abbreviations]
Note on Lyrics: Music and lyrics by Howard Blake, scenario by Howard Blake, Bill Alexander and Robert North
Duration: 84 mins
First Performance: 8th December 1993 Birmingham Rep

Howard Blake reads his 2007 programme note describing the 25 years of The Snowman animated film and the 10 years of The Snowman Stage Show in London's West End. He then plays "Walking in the Air". View the recording here.

All sheet music for "The Snowman" and "Walking In The Air" can be purchased online from MusicRoom.com, and is published by Faber Music.
"Walking In The Air" is also available in a concert piano-only version arranged by the composer direct from Highbridge Music as part of the collection of piano pieces called "LifeCycle".
CD and DVD recordings are available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com, amongst other places.
Media and grand rights licensing from Chester Music www.chesternovello.com.

Sheet Music Available

Full score for hire
Orchestral parts for hire
All material for the Stage Show available on request from Chester Music (contact details below).

Recordings Available

DVD of complete show made in 1998 beautifully shot with Kasper Cornish, Monica Zamoura (by permission of The Birmingham Royal Ballet), Drew McConie, treble Thomas Gubbins (by permission of Winchester Cathedral), produced by Neil Mundy, directed by Thomas Grimm. 'The Snowman Stage Show', Reiner Moritz Associates, 1998 Contender-RGN2 Europe CTD 10125. Also CD RMA001

Movements

1: Waking to a world of snow
2: Footprints in the snow
3: Building the Snowman
4: Golden Crowns and Jewels Gleaming - christmas carol
5: Bedtime
6: The snowman comes to life
7: The Cat
8: Disco lights
9: Tropical Fruit Calypso
10: The Music Box
11: Motorbike Chase
12: Walking in the Air
13: Dance of the Snowmen
14: Father Christmas and His Reindeer
15: The Robot

This movement is no longer part of the West End show.
16: Arabian Magic

This movement is no longer part of the West End show.
17: Pas de deux - Love Duet
18: Cowboy Tango
19: Flying home
20: The Next Day

Notes

VERSION WITHDRAWN

1993 Original production directed by Bill Alexander, produced by John Stalker/Birmingham Rep, choreographed by Pat Garrett, designed by Ruari Muchison, lighting by Bryan Harris, sound designer David Tinson, musical directors Guy Woolfenden and Dane Preece.

1997 Revised production directed by Bill Alexander, produced by John Stalker, choreographed by Robert North, designed by Ruari Muchison, lighting by Bryan Harris, sound designer David Tinson, musical director Dane Preece.

1998. Reiner Moritz Associates film of the theatre production made with this team, film directed by Thomas Grimm, produced by Neil Mundy

2000 Extensively revised production in association with Sadler'Wells. Major changes to the second act, introducing The Ice Princess and Jack Frost (for whom Howard created a new music called 'The Storm Dance' in 2000).

Directed by Bill Alexander, produced by Ian Albery/Sadler's Wells/Birmingham Rep, choreographed by Robert North, designed by Ruari Muchison, lighting by Tim Mitchell, sound designer Richard Brooker, Musical director Kate Young.

2005 Directed by Bill Alexander, produced by Sadler's Wells/Birmingham Rep, choreographed by Robert North, designed by Ruari Muchison, lighting by Tim Mitchell, sound designer Richard Brooker, Musical director Jeremy Young.

Stage Show Enquiries

+Queries in regard to The Stage Show, as performed at Birmingham Rep and The Peacock Theatre in association with Sadler’s Wells (1993-2005), should be addressed to:

Stuart Rogers or Wif Maton,
Birmingham Rep,
Broad Street,
Birmingham B12EP.
stuart.rogers@birmingham-rep.co.uk,
tel: 0121 245 2000,
fax: 0121 245 2100.

+ Queries in regard to grand right performances should be addressed to:

Chester Music Ltd,
8-9 Frith Street,
London W1V 5TZ ,
tel: 020 7432 4214,
fax 020 7287 6329
james.rushton@musicsales.co.uk
www.chesternovello.com

+ Queries in regard to other sheet music versions should be addressed to:

Faber Music Ltd
3 Queens Square
London WC1N 3AU
tel: 020 7833 7900
fax: 020 7833 7939
email: information@fabermusic.com
www.fabermusic.com

+Queries in regard to publicity material,film rights for the original cartoon film and projection rights for use with live orchestra,merchandising,books etc are available from:

Snowman Enterprises,c/o TVC Ltd,
39 Grafton Way,
London,W1P 5LA.
tel: 020 7388 2222.
fax: 020 7383 4192.

+ Queries in regard to licensing of media use for ‘Walking in the Air’ or ‘The Snowman’ should be addressed to:

Chester Music Ltd/ Music Sales,
11 Denmark Street,
London, WC1.
Licensing manager: Susan Tilly,
susan.tilly@musicsales.co.uk
tel:0207 636 4855

+ Any other queries falling outside these categories in regard to ‘The Snowman’ should be made direct to Highbridge Music Ltd, details on the enquiries page.

Performances

13th December 2007 - 30th December 2007	Edinburgh Festival Theatre (33 performances),
5th December 2007 - 6th January 2008	Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre London (53 performances),
4th January 2007 - 18th January 2007	Full cast choreographed by Robert North and directed by Bill Alexander, Birmingham Rep Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham
13th December 2006 - 30th December 2006	Company of dancers and orchestra, The Edinburgh Festival Theatre Choreography by Robert North, Direction by Bill Alexander,lighting by Tim Mitchell, based on the Birmingham Rep/Peacock Theatre production
8th December 2006 - 8th January 2007	Cast directed by Bill Alexander, choreographer Robert North, MD Jeremy Young, designer Ruari Murchison, lighting Tim Mitchell 9th West End season, Peacock Theatre (Sadler's Wells' theatre in the West End)

Reviews

'Howard Blake's ballet "The Snowman" is now such a part of the Christmas Season that I am sure it certainly deserves to be produced again and again well into the 22nd century ... It is one of those rare theatrical pieces that appeals and impresses theatregoers of all ages ... Musically, the score is a masterpiece. I do not use the word lightly. Howard Blake's world famous song Walking in the Air, with which Aled Jones had such a success, is used as a basis for a virtually continuous set of symphonic variations; a subtle and fully wrought score which entrances the ears of all who are brought into the magical world it conjures up'. (Robert Matthew Walker, Musical Opinion March-April 2006)

Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion, 4/2006

Pure magic, an hour and a half's mime, dance and music fantasy celebration of innocence, friendship and fun, with a hypnotic, dream-like quality... Howard Blake's eloquent score... is full of wit and humour as well as lyrical beauty. The lovely ballad Walking in the Air runs through it like a thread.

Ann Fitzgerald, Stage and Television Today, 13/1/1994

Related Works

'WALKING IN THE AIR' op.317A (September 1981)
The original song from 'The Snowman' for treble and orchestra (or piano)

'THE SNOWMAN FILM (with the original version of 'Walking in the Air')' op.317 (July 1982)
Score, song and lyrics for an animated film

'Snowman autobiography Walking In The Air Can Be Dangerous' op.428 (June 1991)
A 'work-in-progress'

'THE SNOWMAN CONCERT VERSION For Narrator (or Film), Treble and Orchestra' op.323 (1983) Listen to this Work
A concert work based on the score for the animated film with added narration

'THE SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW (12-player version)' op.459 (September 1993) Listen to this Work
VERSION WITHDRAWN A full-evening theatre show in two acts, based on the book by Raymond Briggs, the film by TVC and incorporating the music of the ballet

'The Snowman Concert Version For Piano, Treble and Narrator' op.323A (September 1983)
The complete concert work based on the animated film, arranged for piano by the composer (see op.323)

'The Snowman Easy Piano Version' op.364 (April 1986)
Highlights of The Snowman in a simplified form

'The Snowman (demo)' op.310 (September 1981)
Pilot piano track

'Walking in the Air (arranged for chorus and orchestra)' op.335A (May 1984)

'LE BONHOMME DE NEIGE (for narrator , treble and orchestra)' op.342 (January 1985)
A French version of 'The Snowman'

'We're Walking In The Air' op.343 (January 1985)
A version for a cappella voices

'The Snowman (Arranged For Narrator, Treble and School Orchestra)' op.369 (1986)
A concert work based on the score for the animated film in an easy-to-play version with narration

'Snowman Instrumental Suites' op.371 (1986)
Sections from 'The Snowman' arranged for various instruments with piano

'Walking In The Air (For Girls Choir And Orchestra)' op.434 (December 1991)
An arrangement for the girls' choir 'Cantamus'

'Snowman (Ballet In One Act)' op.452 (July 1993)
VERSION WITHDRAWN A ballet with choreography by Robert North

''Walking In The Air' (for violin and piano)' op.455 (1993)
Arranged by the composer for Christiane Edinger

'SNOWMAN SUITE (for string quartet)' op.457 (August 1993)

Concert suite in one movement

'The Snowman (Full Length Theatre, arranged for small group)' op.479 (1995)
VERSION WITHDRAWN. For Belfast Lyric Theatre

'THE SNOWMAN SHOW (Nine-Instrument Version)' op.497 (May 1997)
VERSION WITHDRAWN. A revised version of the Birmingham Rep 1993 Production

'THE SNOWMAN STAGE SHOW (A BALLET IN TWO ACTS)' op.522 (December 2000)
The definitive stage version of The Snowman as produced at The Peacock Theatre, London 2000-2008 by Sadler's Wells/Birmingham Rep, based on the book by Raymond Briggs and the Channel 4 animated film

'Fantasia on Walking In The Air' op.539 (December 2004)
Arrangement for organ

'Theme From The Snowman (For Brass)' op.554 (2005)
Arrangement by Philip Sparke

'Pas De Deux (for piano trio)' op.557 (2005)
Arrangement of the dance duet for The Ice Princess and The Snowman from 'The Snowman Stage Show'

'Walking In The Air' op.558 (September 2005)
A new orchestration by the composer