A new 1980s-inspired musical based on real life events will gets its theatre premiere in Salford. 42 Balloons will tell the incredible story of an American man who defied the odds to "fly" into the sky with the aid of just 42 helium-filled balloons.
Billed as an "uplifting new musical" it will feature an original score of songs all inspired by the era in which it is also set - 1982. The news of the premiere, announced on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday, set the theatre world abuzz.
Award-winning producers Andy and Wendy Barnes from Global Musicals, whose previous work includes SIX, The Choir of Man, Pieces of String and LIFT have joined forces with Kevin McCollum from Alchemation to announce the first full production of the new musical. It will premiere at The Lowry theatre in Salford from Thursday 18th April – Sunday 19th May 2024.
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The musical will take audiences back to the 2nd of July 1982, when truck driver Larry Waters defied all the odds (and FAA airspace regulations) to make his lifelong dream a reality. Using a lawn chair and approximately 42 helium-filled weather balloons he flew sixteen thousand feet above Los Angeles - yes, in a chair.
The musical is inspired by the highly improbable true story of how Larry, and his partner Carol Van Deusen, convinced their friends and family to help Larry achieve his lifelong dream to fly. It will feature what is billed as an "irresistible, 80s pop-inspired score" and questions how far you would go to make your dreams come true.
42 Balloons will star Charlie McCullagh (Bonnie & Clyde, Dr.Zhivago) and Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress, Gypsy, Spring Awakening) reprising their roles as ‘Larry’ and ‘Carol’ from the 2022 staged concert performances in the West End. Further casting will be announced later in the year.
42 Balloons has been in development with Perfect Pitch - an entity dedicated exclusively to creating, developing and promoting new contemporary British musicals – since 2020. A version was released in 2021 on Perfect Pitch’s Rise:Up YouTube channel.
In November 2022, the producers presented four semi-staged concert performances, which received hugely positive feedback from public and theatre commentators alike. 42 Balloons has book, music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey whose other works include This is a Love Story (Dundee Rep) and Babies (YMT:UK).
Jack Godfrey said: "After five years of writing and a journey that has at times seemed as unlikely as Larry’s flight, it feels incredibly surreal that we now get to present the full production of 42 Balloons next year. I’m extremely proud of our team, I’m hugely grateful to everyone who has helped us to get to this point and I can’t wait to share this show with everyone.”
Wendy Barnes said, “In 42 Balloons, Jack Godfrey gives us a contemporary, original musical score rather uniquely fused with 80s inspired familiarity and nostalgia in equal measure. I was introduced to the show as a first draft of act one through our open submissions process and after a quick google of the real-life Larry Walters and hearing Jack’s impressive score and witty lyrics, I was hooked by the end of the Prologue!
"Andy and I are dedicated to supporting the work of lesser-known, emerging British artists and we’re incredibly excited to collaborate with Jack, The Lowry and the wider creative team to bring this fantastic new musical to audiences.”
Steve Cowton and Matthew Eames, co-Heads of Theatre at The Lowry, said: “‘We have invested a lot in new musicals in recent years – through Rewrites, Operation Mincemeat, Police Cops and our artist development programme – but it is important that this is backed up by bold programming. Supporting the premiere production of 42 Balloons felt like the natural next step.
"Jack is an incredibly exciting writer, and this is a fascinating story to tell. We think audiences will love it and we are delighted they can see it here first!”
The show is recommended for anyone aged over 12 as there are some adult themes. 42 Balloons has a month-long run at The Lowry from 18 April 2024 - 19 May 2024, with tickets from £29.50 via The Lowry box office on 0161 876 2000.
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