Slava's Snowshow (Tour – Salford)

The magic that is Slava's Snow Show returns to the Lowry to delight and entertain before opening at the Royal Festival Hall for the Christmas season.

Created and staged by Russian clown Slava Polunin, this is like no other piece of theatre. More surreal mime than traditional clowning, the show takes you on a mystical and wonderous journey, lead by the little Yellow Clown.

His attitude ranges from reflective to mischeivious but at all times engaging the empathy of the audience. His companion, the tall Green Clown is the perfect foil and the humour provided by the ensemble green clowns is sublimely funny while retaining a subtley not usually found in clowning.

Short scenes are beautifully created both visually and through the music, but even the scenes of pathos are imbued with enough humour to entrance the smaller members of the audience. When the yellow clown tears up a letter from his loved one and snow gently begins to fall, first on the stage and then across the whole auditorium the emotion is palpable.

There are parts of typical slapstick comedy as well, the shark skimming past the two clowns on the bed/boat sets the audience giggling, but his bow at the end turns it into full scale laughter.

The yellow clowns attempt to stay on a stool is another. There is no fourth wall in this show, the performers regularly leave the stage to walk across the seating into the audience, and even during the interval the green clowns are out there with their umbrellas.

From the gentle opening through to the dramatic blizzard and culminating in the mass ball play by audience members, Slava's Snow Show is an unmissable otherworldly bewitching delight.

Slava's Snow Show is at the Lowry until 13 December.