After a decade of delighting audiences around the country, Snow Mouse returns in a frosty follow-up featuring two mischievous cousins and three adventurous newcomers. With original music using cello and guitar, live sound effects and puppets, Snow Mice! (suitable for ages 3–9 and their families) follows three children at the start of the winter holidays as they arrive in a strange new house. But where will they all sleep? Will they have to share a room? And will it ever snow again? When night falls and the youngest child is woken by the appearance of a mysterious Snow Mouse, he ventures outside into the snow with his new friend. Though his siblings remain doubtful such creatures exist, the three brave adventurers set off on a snowy journey to the top of a hill and into a boundless world of imagination—where they discover that Snow Mice are real after all. At its heart, Snow Mice! is a playful tale about sibling adventures, what we believe in and finding your feet in unfamiliar places.
Snow Mouse was created 12 years ago by The Egg and Travelling Light, with the puppet beautifully crafted by Marc Parrett and Edwina Bridgman. Since then, this enchanting character has become something of a local celebrity, delighting more than 45,000 people across the UK each winter with its charming tale of adventure and friendship. For many children in Bath, Snow Mouse has been their very first taste of theatre.
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| Photo by Lloyd Evans |
Ahead of the run we chatted to co-performer and co-deviser Martin Bonger to learn more.
What can you tell me about Snow Mice! and your role within it?
This is a show that should be such a joy for audiences - full of music, characters who change who and how they are in really unexpected ways, puppets (that many people already know and love) full of of their own creative magic and a design that will be spectacular!
I’m playing Timothy in the show - he’s five - I’m forty one- and it's a pleasure to throw myself back into that age of innocent curiosity and playfulness - as well as the big emotions!
What inspired the devising of this piece?
Imagining what has happened to Snow Mouse and maybe the world Snow Mouse inhabited at the end of the first show. It will be ten years (I think) since the original shows first appearance, so we wanted to help develop this lovely story for new and old audiences. We’ve been looking for a theatrical world that offers us loads of scope for development in ways that are heartfelt and relevant. Choosing a situation of upheaval - three kids have just moved house - you learn so much about their fears and hopes, unearthing a story of getting through by playing in that world - the snow mice also help make this possible and very playful!
Imagining what has happened to Snow Mouse and maybe the world Snow Mouse inhabited at the end of the first show. It will be ten years (I think) since the original shows first appearance, so we wanted to help develop this lovely story for new and old audiences. We’ve been looking for a theatrical world that offers us loads of scope for development in ways that are heartfelt and relevant. Choosing a situation of upheaval - three kids have just moved house - you learn so much about their fears and hopes, unearthing a story of getting through by playing in that world - the snow mice also help make this possible and very playful!
How would you say the production has been shaped and developed as a sequel?
Mmm might have answered that a bit in the last question but adding… The Snow Mice will have a bigger world to play in - new characters, new emotions and literally new space; moving from the Roper Room Studio to the main house of The Egg. It's exciting to build on such a beautiful and simple piece of work, looking to keep its heart, with the joy of snow, friendship and connection, central to what we make now.
Mmm might have answered that a bit in the last question but adding… The Snow Mice will have a bigger world to play in - new characters, new emotions and literally new space; moving from the Roper Room Studio to the main house of The Egg. It's exciting to build on such a beautiful and simple piece of work, looking to keep its heart, with the joy of snow, friendship and connection, central to what we make now.
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| Photo by Lloyd Evans |
How have you approached the collaboration with Theatre Royal Bath?
I've worked at The Egg before and its great to be back!
I've worked at The Egg before and its great to be back!
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
Christmas shows can be really demanding so I try and be clear sighted in the marathon ahead - I also look after myself as much as possible - good food (lots), time to stretch and staying focused on keeping my own work playful - even when I get the the fiftieth performance!
Christmas shows can be really demanding so I try and be clear sighted in the marathon ahead - I also look after myself as much as possible - good food (lots), time to stretch and staying focused on keeping my own work playful - even when I get the the fiftieth performance!
What are your favourite Christmas traditions?
FOOOD - love Christmas dinner
FOOOD - love Christmas dinner
What was the first piece of theatre you remember having a big impact on you?
There have been many but Pina Bauch’s The Rites of Spring sticks out as breathtaking to have seen
There have been many but Pina Bauch’s The Rites of Spring sticks out as breathtaking to have seen
What keeps you inspired?
I often draw and paint - love being in nature and that brings inspiration.
I often draw and paint - love being in nature and that brings inspiration.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing Snow Mice!?
I hope the show will bring moments of wonder, laughter, great music and the pleasure that comes with seeing characters getting through tough times… Fingers crossed!
Snow Mice! runs at The Egg at Theatre Royal Bath from 20 November – 11 January 2026. Tickets are available from http://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/your-visit/the-egg/
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| Photo by Lloyd Evans |
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