Birmingham Hippodrome is this Christmas premiering a festive show with a difference. A brand-new musical for young children, The Jingleclaw is the first production commissioned by the venue’s New Musical Theatre Department. The monstrous title character is played by Birmingham actress - and one-time SIX Queen - Alexia McIntosh, who caught up with What’s On to tell us more…

With a sea of traditional Christmassy fun on offer around the city - not least the legendary panto on the stage next door - Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio is this year hosting a truly unique festive production which has its roots in old Scandinavian folklore. Recommended for children aged three upwards and billed as ‘the perfect first musical’, The Jingleclaw features original music, playful puppetry and a mischievous monster (the title character).

The Jingleclaw is played by Birmingham actress Alexia McIntosh, who performed as Anna of Cleves in the first UK tour of hit musical SIX. She’s no stranger to the Hippodrome, having appeared in its annual pantomime two years ago, but this year she’s a very different character. 

“It's a children's musical, a proper musical,” says Alexia. “The music's wonderful, the set’s amazing, the costumes are amazing, we've got puppetry… Just to be a part of a child's first musical is so magical, especially at this time of year. It's going to be a memory that they'll treasure, and to know that you've been a part of that is just so special - it's a blessing.”

The play is the very first musical commissioned by the Hippodrome’s in-house New Musical Theatre Department - the first of its kind in the UK. The department has two main aims: to develop musical theatre talent and to produce new musicals on and off the venue’s stage. 

“I feel really privileged to be doing the first musical here for the department, and making history - in my home town as well! It's a win-win - home for Christmas, and being a part of this special production. The cast are so lovely, the team is so supportive, and we all just want to do a great job.”

It’s clearly a worthwhile endeavour, especially as musicals are the bread and butter of the Hippodrome’s annual programme. But just who is this mysterious title character?

“I'm a monster that has woken up. I hate festive cheer, and festive music makes me sick! It gives me a rumbly tum, and I don't like children... When I wake up, I've got a crew of bats and they let me know that there's a festival called the Shnootnoot going on.” 

The Shnootnoot Winter Festival’s school-band performance, headed by one Mrs Whimsey, features Astrid, who marches to the beat of a different drum… 

“She’s fed up of Mrs Whimsy's boring musical structures, and she wants to break out with the band. She plays the drums. It's up to her to save the day - and save the kids from the stomach of Jingleclaw! It's lots of fun.” 

The musical is composed by Tim Gilvin, with a book by Robyn Grant - two of the creatives responsible for Unfortunate, the X-rated musical inspired by The Little Mermaid’s sea witch. The Jingleclaw is firmly family-friendly, however, and Alexia thinks that the Patrick Studio suits the show down to the ground.

“It's so intimate, and I think the children will really be immersed in the world that we're creating. The set is amazing - it's not what you're going to be expecting! I think people expect me to come out in a traditional monster costume, and it's not that. The actor-musos are amazing; the music is just beautiful. The Patrick Studio is really intimate. The audience will feel immersed; they'll feel like they're part of the school band. And we've got lots of puppetry.”

Alexia was born, raised and even trained in Birmingham: “I went to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. I had a great time. I was there for three years and got my BA in acting. My son was about three when I graduated, so he's been on this journey with me. Even in the production of SIX that I was in, I was travelling back and forth every day from Birmingham to London, doing school runs and then playing Cleves in a matinee and evening show! It's been full-on, but I wouldn't change it - being an actor-mommy and being a part of the experience is just wonderful. My son’s 15 now - Year 10. He's been on this journey with me for a long time.”

Performing in Birmingham not only makes for a much easier commute, but Alexia has discovered that she’s working with a few familiar faces on her return to the Hippodrome.

“I did a show with Chris Sudworth, our creative director, at The Old Rep when he was there. We did The Wind In The Willows as part of a collaboration with BOA (Birmingham Ormiston Academy). It was a massive production company-managed by Hannan Finnegan, so it's come full circle - working with Chris again and having Hannan as company stage manager, it's like a big family reunion!”

A family reunion sounds like something the Jingleclaw would run a mile from - or perhaps gobble up! Does Alexia feel the same way about the festive season?

“Not at all! I love this time of year. You never know what the year’s going to bring, but I think the thing we all feel towards the end is - tired! We need that break. We need that togetherness and that recharge of family, love and giving. It's just a special time of the year. I'm very much for the festive cheer, the music, the eating, the cooking and the presents… Having a child myself, Christmas is always a highlight of the year.”

This show is also all about the children, and Alexia is sure that there are plenty of treats in store for young audience members - even though she’s playing a fearsome creature…

“I think they'll love the live music. When they see the puppetry and the bats - it's like the Muppets! There are so many elements that I think they're going to like - and then the monstrousness of Jingleclaw! She's like a cross between Mrs Trunchbull and the Grinch. I think they're going to love me and hate me at the same time.”

Feature by Jessica Clixby

The Jingleclaw shows at Birmingham Hippodrome from Friday 13 December until Saturday 4 January