Actor Craig Painting is playing Mr Snow, a polar explorer and expert snowologist (he knows A LOT about snow) in our Courtyard Theatre until 4 January.

Tell us a bit about your character in the show.

Mr Snow lives in the middle of a frozen landscape and spends his days sledging, skiing and snowmobiling across the glaciers collecting snow. He’s thrilled by all things snow, the beauty of it, its endless uniqueness and the power and magic it possesses.

But his relentless obsession with being the best snowologist (tester, classifier and seller of magical snow mixtures) starts to push his son away. Through their shared adventure he learns to be a more generous dad, and allows some Christmas magic into his life, reconnecting and celebrating his son.

It’s a two-person show, so you’re working closely with actor Jayden Reid, who plays your son Blessyou. Tell us a bit about that relationship. Have you learned a lot from each other?

It’s been joyful getting to know Jayden through rehearsals. He’s been a hilarious reminder that almost all of my film and TV references are 20 years old! We’re having lots of fun and laughing for most of the day. He brings a kindness and gentleness to Blessyou which furthers the contrast with Mr Snow’s sharpness and frustration with his son.

The whole process has been very collaborative, even beyond me and Jayden. Everyone in the room is free to throw in loads of thoughts and suggestions, and then it’s our fabulous director, Amy Leach, who sets about editing those ideas and bringing the elements to life.

Mr Snow is a bilingual family show (spoken English and British Sign Language). The signing was developed during the rehearsal process – how did that work? Does signing make the show even more enjoyable for everyone?

Our wonderful BSL consultant and Associate Director Nadeem Islam has not only been responsible for the accurate translation of the spoken English, but has been instrumental in the embedding of BSL into the heart and artistic voice of the show. This rich seam of visual language running alongside the spoken English adds such clarity for young and old audience alike, even those who don’t sign. As an audience member, you can access the show how you care to, aurally, visually or a mixture of the two.

All of the signing was created and refined in rehearsals. Because BSL doesn’t use word for word signing but builds grammar from action and meaning, we spent lots of time working out what exactly each character was feeling or doing. This in turn has massively improved the intention behind the spoken elements of the show.

When did you first learn to sign? And how has it changed your acting process?

I completed my level one BSL in my early twenties. I had trained in dance growing up and at drama school, and had also done a lot of physical theatre, so sign language seemed to be an extension of that physical expression and I loved it. Frustratingly, life got in the way and it was then four years before I took my level two, but after that, I became completely obsessed, immersing myself in the deaf community and going to deaf events before qualifying as a Registered Sign Language Interpreter in the summer of 2024.

BSL has given me the opportunity to work with some incredible deaf talent across theatre, TV and film, and has allowed me to be an ally in the community and an advocate for this exciting work.

Mr Snow is an incredibly festive show – what can audiences expect to see? And how do you hope it makes them feel?

Anyone with a heart of snow, be ready for it to be melted! It’s full of adventure, silliness and joy and it all plays out on the most beautiful set designed by Rachael Canning; it’s like we’re living in a mad professor’s Christmas card!

Mr Snow and Blessyou are celebrating Christmas at the North Pole. If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Anywhere hot! Ironically, I’m not a fan of snow or the cold, but don’t tell anyone!

Describe Mr Snow in 3 words.

Heartfelt, riotous and snow-tacular!