We took a trip to the snowy land of the Shnootnoot Winter Festival (via the magic of theatre, of course!), and watched a delightful, toe-tapping tale for primary aged children that had all four of us grinning from ear to ear. Aimed at kids but perfect for the whole family.
The story follows Astrid, a young girl who marches to the beat of her own drum – quite literally! Played wonderfully by the very talented Isabella Gervais, Astrid, the daughter of the Mayor (Mpilo May) is full of energy and charm as she prepares for her school band performance with Hans (Alex Cardall) and Jacob (Miiya Alexandra). But deep in the Winterwood, the mischievous (and funny) Jingleclaw, played by the phenomenal Alexia McIntosh (SIX The Musical), wakes up, ready to wreak havoc on the festival with her dislike of music and any form of festive fun. The question is: can Astrid find her rhythm and keep the village safe? And can you help as the audience?
Marketed as a first musical for children, this show is the first new musical production created by Birmingham Hippodrome and they have done a fantastic job. Well known for being incredibly inclusive and trying to appeal to everyone, this production does exactly that! Bringing young children to the theatre to fall in love with musicals.
Outside the doors to the theatre were two tubs, one filled with ear defenders and another filled with sensory toys, all available to borrow during the production. Inclusivity at its finest.
From the moment the theatre door closed for the show to start, children (and adults alike) were gripped. I especially loved how Alex Cardall interacted with the audience before the show officially started, the waving, winks and games ensured all of the children and adults were immediately engaged and ready for the show to start. The writers Tim Gilvin and Robyn Grant have done a grand job. There’s humour, catchy (clever) tunes, and chances for audience participation. It’s the perfect musical and I’d love to see it touring other theatres because it is THAT good.
Alexia McIntosh plays the role of the Jingleclaw and is exceptional. She’s mischievous, hilarious, and surprisingly lovable (I know, you are not meant to love the ‘baddie’ of the show, but head along and you will see what I mean). Her vocals are incredibly strong, and her performance of ‘Jingleclaw’s Back’ had us all gripped (and now singing it at home).
Astrid brings the opportunity for those in the audience who have ever felt different, the chance to relate to her. Her solo of ‘My Own Drum’ is uplifting and reminds us that you can be YOU! We are not all the same, and isn’t that a beautiful thing.
Visually, the musical has all the glitz, sparkles, lights and excellent costumes and puppetry to keep the audiences attention firmly on the stage. The Jingleclaw puppetry is fantastic, huge kudos to Laura Cubitt and Mikayla Teodoro. My girls were absolutely mesmerised every time the Jingleclaw appeared, with its larger-than-life presence filling the stage. I was a big fan of the bats too! Keep your eyes open for them!
The story beautifully explores themes of self-expression, teamwork, and the joy of embracing individuality and is a total winner in our eyes.
Great storyline? Tick.
Incredible music? Tick.
Talented cast? Another tick!
So, would we recommend Jingleclaw The Musical? Absolutely. It’s festive, fun, and full of magic – a perfect outing for families looking to make special memories this season. And here’s a little tip: you can now listen to the songs on all major streaming platforms, so you can relive the magic at home! I’ve been having a good sing-a-long whilst writing this.
You can see a short video of our experience here on our instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/smallhousebigtrips
Jingleclaw The Musical is running at Birmingham Hippodrome until 4th January 2025. You can book your tickets here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/the-jingleclaw/
If you go, we’d LOVE to hear what your little ones thought – did they cheer for Astrid, giggle at the Jingleclaw, or march to their own drum all the way home? Let us know in the comments or drop us a message.