Snowman Coming to Town
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
``The Snowman,'' a stage show based on the best-selling children's book by English author Raymond Briggs published in 1978, is finally coming to town for the first time.
The show is set to dazzle Korean fans that have seen the snowman only in the book and animation. The performance will be staged at the Opera House of Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul, from March 28 to April 12.
Since the renowned tale was made into a stage version in 1993, it has topped the British box office among year-end performances for 16 year olds.
The show is based on the tale of a boy who builds a snowman that comes to life at night, and tells the story of a journey they take together.
The show ends after returning from the journey and the sun has risen the next morning and the boy wakes up to find the snowman has melted. It is not certain whether the boy's nighttime journey with the snowman was a dream or not but the boy finds that he still has the scarf given him by Father Christmas during the journey.
The story was made into a 26-minute animated movie in 1982, scoring an immediate success. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Animated Short Film in 1983. It has been ever since thought of as part of Christmas popular culture.
In 1993, Birmingham Repertory Company produced the show arranged with music and lyrics by Howard Blake, scenario by Blake with Bill Alexander, and choreography by Robert North.
Acclaimed as ``an essential part of London,'' the show has been long beloved by both children and adult audiences.
The show is told through images and movement. Special effects including the snowman and the boy flying high over the stage with assistance of wires and harnesses and the snow falling in part of the auditorium is the most impressive and dazzling scene among others.
In the scene, a memorable song, ``Walking in the Air'' written by Blake who was inspired by the tale is performed.
The production had several revisions. The latest in 2000 was made to the second act, introducing new characters ― the Ice Princess and Jack Frost.
Tickets cost from 40,000 to 80,000 won. For reservation, call 1577-5266 and 1544-1555.