Slava’s Snowshow is the creation of Russian-born, French-based performer, Slava Polunin. The show has been seen by over 7 million people worldwide and has received more than 20 international awards including an Olivier award for Best Entertainment.
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It’s difficult to describe Slava’s Snowshow. In fact, the big, blokey audience member in front of me exclaimed, “I don’t know what the hell I just watched, but gosh it was entertaining!” It pretty much summed up the experience! The official Slava’s Snowshow website describes the show like this: “a universal and timeless theatrical poetic spectacle which has unanimously enchanted and empowered the imagination of audiences and critics since 1993 in dozens of countries, hundreds of cities with multiple thousand performances resulting in millions of ecstatic spectators from all nationalities, genders, beliefs, types and ages, probably like no other show. It is a genre of it’s own and remains as spontaneous and magical as on the first day it was performed, systematically catapulting adults back in childhood.”
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Slava’s Snowshow is a surreal and somewhat absurd theatrical experience that combines traditional and modern clowning, elements of pantomime, and very large props. There is no dialogue and no clear storyline. It’s like opening up a picture book and trying to to create a story from all the images. There were a lot of families in the audience and the kids were completely enthralled. They laughed, they gasped, they cheered – and they had a heap of fun. While you can choose to ponder any deeper meanings in a possible storyline, it’s a show that’s probably best just simply enjoyed without overthinking.
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The first act ended quite quickly, with an “intermission” sign being hung on the stage, but it soon became apparent for the audience members who remained inside the theatre that this was not a complete break. Those who returned to the theatre towards the end of the intermission hurried back to their seats amongst complete mayhem.
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The climax – and highlight – of Slava’s Snowshow is the epic snow storm, ideally suited to the intimacy of the Playhouse theatre at Arts Centre, Melbourne. “Snow” was shot out into the audience completing covering everyone with white confetti. And if that wasn’t enough to have everyone laughing, massive inflated balls were thrown out into the audience. The cast took their bows, the audience cheered (many leapt to their feet for a rousing standing ovation) but not one person left. The audience stayed and, well, just played – bouncing balls around the audience for a good 15 minutes or so. Indeed, Slava’s Snowshow had catapulted all the adults back into childhood and we were having a ball!
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On a hot summer’s evening, Slava’s Snowshow is an ideal family escape.
Slava’s Snowshow is now playing at the Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne. 29 December 2022 – 8 January 2023, before moving to QPAC, Brisbane from January 11 – 15, and the State Theatre, Sydney from January 18 – 29..
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https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2022/dance/slavas-snowshow
