REVIEW - THE SNOWY DAY | Z-ARTS, MANCHESTER | 13/12/2025
- Sarah Monaghan
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
THE SNOWY DAY AT Z-ARTS – A BEAUTIFUL, SENSORY-FRIENDLY SHOW FOR LITTLE ONES
The Snowy Day is a brand-new co-production from Polka Theatre and Can’t Sit Still, inspired by the award-winning picture book by Ezra Jack Keats. Specially created for children aged 1–4 years and their grown-ups, this intimate festive production is currently playing at Z-arts in Manchester as part of its family Christmas programme.
The Snowy Day at Z-arts is a thoughtful and immersive early years theatre experience, designed to feel calm, welcoming and inclusive. Although the advertised age range is younger, I took Alice (8) and Leo (6) — both autistic — and the flexible, relaxed nature of the show meant it worked beautifully for them too.
Rather than traditional theatre seating, families sit on mats on the floor in their own space, with the freedom to move around as needed. This immediately helped Leo feel more relaxed, as he finds it difficult to sit still for long periods, and it set the tone for a gentle, child-led experience.
The story follows Peter, who wakes one winter morning to discover the world outside his window blanketed in snow. As he steps out into his neighbourhood, Peter explores the simple joys of a snowy day — crunching through the streets, discovering familiar objects and delighting in the wonder of winter.
Told with minimal dialogue, the storytelling relies on movement, visual cues and physical interaction, making it accessible and engaging for even the youngest audience members. Leo particularly loved the traffic lights sequence, carefully moving when the light turned green and stopping when it turned red, while Alice’s favourite moment came when Peter built a snowman — something she absolutely loves — watching as each snowball grew bigger and bigger.
The set design is cleverly adaptable and beautifully inviting, with the performance space surrounded by floor seating that places children right at the heart of the action. Soft, layered snowy backdrops, bold splashes of colour and instantly recognisable props — including the traffic lights and snowman — help create clear visual storytelling moments for young audiences.
A bed transforms into different objects and environments throughout the show, including a bath in a memorable sequence where bubbles fill the stage, much to the delight of the children. Gentle, wintry lighting shifts the atmosphere from cosy indoor moments to crisp outdoor scenes, enhancing the sense of a world transformed by snow.
Costumes are simple and practical, allowing movement to take centre stage. The choreography is playful and expressive, encouraging children to copy actions and respond physically. Sitting on the floor in his own space, with the freedom to move and roll around, helped Leo feel far more relaxed than he usually does in traditional theatre settings. The original music quietly supports the action, creating a calm, rhythmic flow throughout the performance.
The performance is carried by Ashley Jordan, who plays Peter with warmth and an easy, engaging presence. From the opening moment — when Peter is asleep on stage, something many of the children immediately noticed and chatted about — he gently draws the audience into Peter’s snowy world.
At the end of the show, the stay-and-play session becomes a joyful extension of the performance. Jordan joins the children on stage, playing with the soft fabric snowballs. Alice’s absolute highlight was having a little snowball fight with him — the biggest smile spread across her face, a moment that completely melted my heart.
The Snowy Day is a beautifully crafted early years theatre experience that truly understands its audience. The relaxed seating, freedom to move, gentle pacing and interactive play session make this a wonderfully accessible and sensory-friendly show.
Despite being older than the recommended age range, both Alice and Leo absolutely loved it — Leo relishing the freedom to move and copy the performer’s actions, and Alice fully immersed in the snowy magic from start to finish.
This is theatre that nurtures imagination, confidence and joy, offering families a calm, inclusive space to share something special together. A magical festive treat at Z-arts and a genuinely memorable experience.
A must-see, joyful production that celebrates imagination.
The Snowy Day will be at Z-arts, Manchester until Tuesday, 30th December 2025. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Steve Gregson
*Our tickets for this show were kindly gifted in exchange for an honest review
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