Interview: Total MK speaks with James Leece, starring in The Snowman at Milton Keynes Theatre this January

Dancer James Leece plays the lead role in the stage show version of classic Christmas cartoon The Snowman, which is touring to Milton Keynes Theatre this season.

Between performances and festive family fun, he found time for a chat about choreography, costumes and childhood nostalgia with Georgina Butler.

James Leece is one of two performers alternating the title role in the Birmingham Repertory Theatre production of The Snowman.

This enchanting show is based on the 1982 animated film, which was inspired by Raymond Briggs’ 1978 children’s book. The narrative sees a young boy and his snowman share a magical night of friendship, fun and flying.

Directed by Bill Alexander, the stage show tells the story entirely through music and dance. It features a musical score and lyrics by the film’s composer Howard Blake - including the classic theme song Walking in the Air - and choreography by Robert North.

The Snowman is now an annual seasonal staple in the capital. The five-week Christmas 2017 run marks the production’s 20th year at The Peacock Theatre, making it the longest-running Christmas show in theatre history.

In November 2017 the cast toured the show to Manchester and Glasgow. The tour will resume throughout January 2018, with performances in Southampton, Milton Keynes and Brighton.

Without a doubt, The Snowman has become a much-loved festive tradition for audiences and cast members alike. Indeed, James is presently donning the fluffy white Snowman suit for his sixth year in the title role and he is full of admiration for this timeless show.

On the day of our interview, James was looking forward to watching his daughter, Isabella, in her nativity play later in the afternoon. His biography, sent out to journalists with the show’s press release, states that he dedicates his performances to his two children, four-year-old Isabella and two-year-old Albie.

What do Isabella and Albie think of The Snowman?

“It’s part of Christmas for our family so we all love it. We are London based so the kids see it every year.

Isabella is actually a Snowman baby as she was born during my second contract with the show. She turns five on December 30th of this run at The Peacock Theatre, so she is old enough to really follow the production. She knows all the moves and we have the official DVD release of the show too. In fact, she probably knows it as well as, if not better than, me!

Albie has only just turned two but I’m sure it won’t take him long to pick up all the choreography either!”

With younger audience members in mind, is the story of the stage show easy to follow?

“Definitely. It’s recommended for children aged three and up and it follows the film quite closely, so it is just magic for the kids and nostalgic for us grown-ups.

The first act shows the boy building the Snowman and then Snowman coming alive and being shown around the boy’s world.

The second act is the Snowman’s world. Here the kids meet Father Christmas – he always gets a big cheer – and some extra characters that are not in the film, the Ice Princess and a baddie called Jack Frost.”

And is there enough dancing to keep dance enthusiasts interested?

“The whole show is told through dancing. Most of the choreography is classically based and the cast is classically trained.

The Ice Princess is the ballerina, she wears pointe shoes and has the most pas de deux passages to dance, but all the characters have proper ballet choreography and partnering to do.

There is some jazz and contemporary in there too, particularly for Jack Frost.”

What is it like dancing in the snowman suit?

“Hot. But you do get used to it through the training. We start off learning the choreography and then build up to being able to do it all in this hot costume.

It is so hot, my first year it was just unbelievably sweaty! You can eat as much as you like over Christmas, you just sweat it off.

You are also limited in what you can see, your hearing is muffled and the size of it means you must relearn partnering to some extent. You need to allow extra space for lifting the girl and know where she is because you can’t see so clearly.

"In the first act, the Snowman must stay still for fifteen minutes before he comes alive. That is a challenge too, in the suit. A real stamina test!”

How does it feel to be bringing The Snowman to Milton Keynes, a new destination for the production's tour?

“I am looking forward to being back in Milton Keynes, I've performed at the theatre with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures and the Singin' In The Rain tour in 2014. It's a great venue that gets plenty of top shows. A couple of my friends and neighbours, Matthew and Lauren, are currently performing there in pantomime.

Bringing The Snowman to audiences outside London is exciting. It's like The Lion King in that it is based on the film but the stage show is famous in its own right too and taking more bookings than ever.

Audiences love The Snowman show so it's a great feeling to bring it to families outside London. And the tour is not too long so I am not away from my family too long, which is a factor now I am a parent.”

A final word on why we should book tickets?

“Magic. Really, the show is a magical, winter wonderland brought to life with music and dancing.

Why wouldn’t you book tickets?!”

> The Snowman comes to Milton Keynes Theatre from Wednesday 17th January 2018 until Saturday 20th January 2018. Visit http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/ to book.

For more interviews, news, features and reviews by Georgina, visit https://georginabutler.co.uk/ and follow her on Twitter @GeorginaLButler and Instagram @glbdancewriter

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