RIYADH: “Slava's Snowshow” opened in Riyadh on Thursday before an audience of 200 people, mostly families with children, at the Baker Al-Shedi Theater.
The event, organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, is part of the commission’s efforts to enhance the city’s cultural scene in line with Vision 2030’s Quality of Life Program.
“Slava’s Snowshow runs” from May 15 to 24, presenting 13 performances. Double-show weekends have been added to accommodate increasing demand.
The performance featured snowstorm effects, unique characters, and striking visuals in a non-verbal show that appealed to all ages.
Created by Russian artist Slava Polunin, “Slava’s Snowshow” has been seen by more than 12 million people in more than 30 countries, from Broadway in New York to the West End in London.
Architect Khalid Alhazani, vice president of the Riyadh Life Sector at the RCRC, said: “We are pleased to bring ‘Slava’s Snowshow’ to Riyadh as part of our commitment to introducing world-class cultural experiences to the Kingdom. Hosting internationally acclaimed performances creates valuable cultural moments for the community.
“This is a significant step toward Riyadh’s goal of becoming a vibrant and creative capital, aligned with the ambitions of Vision 2030,” he added.
Abdulaziz Awlia, a faculty member at the Department of Performing Arts, King Saud University, told Arab News: “Bringing ‘Slava’s Snowshow’ to Riyadh reflects a growing cultural awareness in Saudi Arabia and highlights the shift in the Kingdom’s theatre scene toward international openness.
“The show introduces local audiences to new theatrical forms that go beyond dialogue and traditional storytelling. It uses visual language, movement, and silence to engage the audience emotionally. This is especially effective in a society with a strong oral heritage,” Awlia added.
“Performances like this can encourage Saudi theatre to grow by embracing experimentation and focusing on visual and poetic elements,” Awliya said.
“Slava’s Snowshow” has received more than 25 international awards, including the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and a Tony Award nomination on Broadway. The production combines visual performance and physical comedy to take audiences through a theatrical experience rooted in imagination and nostalgia. It appeals to audiences of all ages with its focus on creativity and childlike wonder.
Since its debut in 1993, the show has been performed thousands of times in hundreds of cities and dozens of countries.
The production, which blends visual performance with elements of tragicomedy, has carved out a unique place in contemporary theatre. It has received numerous international honors, with recognition stretching from London and New York to Australia, Mexico, Paris, and Moscow.
