‘One winter night a snowman comes to life…’
‘The Snowman’ by Raymond Briggs’ has been a much loved picture book for many years. In 1978, the year of its publication it was recognised as the years best childrens book illustration by a British writer. In celebration of its 40th anniversary the Brighton Museum is holding an extra magical exhibition which features the original illustrations for the book. Why Brighton? If you look closely you will recognise our very own Brighton Pavilion and the Palace Pier in the snowy sky-scape that the snowman glides above. The little boy also seems to live in the South Downs, near to Brighton and latter in the story the tag on his present confirms this. Briggs’ cleary drew upon inspiration from his surroundings as he has lived in Sussex since 1961.
The classic book was adapted for the television by Dianne Jackson in 1982, the animated version is wordless like the book except for the infamous ‘Walking in the Air’ which is sure to give you goosebumps. Fortunately, some of the original hand drawn cels and celluiod sheets used for tradition animation will be on display in the exhibition also. In London, ‘The Snowman’ stage production will return for it’s 21st year, at the Peacock Theatre, making the classic story really come to life!
That isn’t all though! To further commemorate the 40th anniversary childrens author Michael Morpurgo has reimagined Raymond Briggs’ original book as a chapter book, which features illustrations by Robin Shaw. Robin Shaw has also created a short animation exclusively for the exhibition and it will premiere in the gallery on the 4th of December. Although the exhibition is open from the 20th October through to the 6th January, from the 4th of December there will also be the addition of a portrait of The Snowman and James, created by award-winning visual artist Helen Marshall. She is creating the master piece through October and Novemember using photographs submitted by members of the public – if you want to get involved just click here!
The exhibition is amazingly free to Brighton and Hove residents and students at the University of Brighton or Sussex! Between the 17th of November and the 1st of January it is also Christmas at the Royal Pavillion, a lovely day out for family and friends! If ‘The Snowman’ doesn’t get you feeling festive what will?
Tickets are 10% cheaper if you book them online in advance, so get yours to ‘an unforgettable adventure’ here!
This isn’t the first time Brighton has celebrated Raymonds work as in 2016 the Marlets Hospice teamed up with Wild in Art and Penguin to create the Snow Dogs by the Sea art trail, which was a huge success!
