BWW Reviews: SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW, Birmingham Hippodrome, November 13 2014

Slava's Snowshow is a global phenomenon which, following sell-out performances last year, is currently touring the UK before taking a short London residency until the New Year. The show is created and staged by Russian performance artist and clown Slava Polunin.

At its national press night at Birmingham Hippodrome last night, the foyers were already covered in fake snow...you would have thought they'd bother to clean before the audience arrived! However, the creative team have requested that all of the snow from previous performances is to remain where it lands until the run finishes. Therefore by Sunday, Birmingham will be knee deep I'm sure! This sets the tone for the performance you are about to see.

Slava's Snowshow is a family show with elements of mild threat but vastly old school variety. There is comedy in there as well as sadness and although there is little spoken word (and none in English), the Yellow and Green Clowns' characters express these emotions whilst accompanied solely by a musical soundtrack. There is a level of interaction with the audience - mostly spraying water over them and climbing over their seats!

My first experience of Slava was a few years ago in the front few rows and as a person who does not like clowns, it was a very nervous experience to begin with! However, the characterisation of the two main protagonists are so endearing that it is almost impossible for them to be frightening.

The show does have some bizarre sketches but also some incredible ones. None are so heartfelt as the coat on the hat stand - anyone who has seen the performance will know exactly what I'm referring to. Furthermore the finale and the scene leading up to it are just breathtaking. For a no-holds-barred technical production, this is one of the ultimate family experiences.

Slava's Snowshow plays at the Birmingham Hippodrome until Sunday 16th November 2014.