Swans and snowmen adorn the stage at Sadler’s Wells at Christmas

Festive classics return this Christmas season to Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Peacock Theatre and Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage, including Birmingham Rep’s The Snowman, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and Ballo Arthur Pita’s The Little Match Girl.

Birmingham Rep kicks off the Christmas season with its festive family classic The Snowman. Now playing for its 27th year at the Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells’ West End home, The Snowman will run for six weeks, from Saturday 23 November 2024 to Saturday 4 January 2025.

A magical stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ beloved picture book and Dianne Jackson’s film, The Snowman continues to enchant audiences of all ages, transporting them to the wonderland of a boy and a snowman come to life.

The Snowman show features music and lyrics by Howard Blake, including the song “Walking in the Air”, and is performed by a live orchestra. Choreography is by Robert North, direction by Bill Alexander and design by Ruari Murchison, with lighting by Tim Mitchell.

Matthew Bourne’s bold and revolutionary reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered nearly 30 years ago. Thrilling, daring, witty and moving, the work is best known for replacing the female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble, shattering convention and upending tradition. It has now become the most successful dance theatre production of all time, creating new audiences and inspiring generations of young dancers. To celebrate this enduring impact, Swan Lake returns in a major new version, as a new generation of dancers introduce it to new audiences.

First performed at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake has been performed around the world, garnering over 30 international accolades, including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and three Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

Inspired by the traditional Hans Christian Andersen tale and with a powerful message at its heart, Ballo Arthur Pita’s The Little Match Girl, originally created for the stage, has been transformed into a high-quality film for the Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage. Teachers can register now for free access from Monday 7 October 2024 to Friday 31 January 2025. Students can enjoy world-class dance in the comfort of their classroom, as well as teaching resources and ongoing training for those working in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.

A snowy scene sets the tone for a chilly Christmas Eve, where the little match girl walks the empty streets, desperately trying to sell her matches. Along her journey, she encounters kindness and cruelty in a tale about family, friendship and hope. With a powerful message at its heart, The Little Match Girl reminds us of the importance of kindness and thinking of those less fortunate than ourselves. The classic tale comes to life with music, dance and unusual instruments.

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