Review: 42 Balloons, at the Lowry, Salford

What makes a man try to fly in a lawn chair?

Yes you read that right. And what makes someone want to write a musical about something as crazy as this? Even crazier that this musical is the talk of Salford right now. 

And that this crazy event involving a lawn chair and balloons actually happened!

This spring, The Lowry is hosting the world premiere of Jack Godfrey's 42 Balloons, a story about chasing a crazy dream, and what happens once they've been achieved.

42 Balloons continues the Lowry's legacy with supporting new works, in this even co-producing it. Others you may have heard of that they have recently supported include Unfortunate, the now Best New Musical-winning Operation Mincemeat, and a tiny show called SIX; not sure if you've heard of that one... 

At this rate, 42 Balloons, is almost guaranteed to join them. In fact, I would say it is guaranteed a London season in the near future. 

The first thing that hits you is the stage. After the curtain rises, you a curved structure, covered in small ledges that the cast either parkour across as if in a skateboard park; since balloons are so integral to the story, designer Milla Clark made the decision for the show to be performed inside a balloon itself. It's a pretty inspired choice. 

It is one thing to have the inner-balloon set, the eye-catching choreography from Alexzandra Sarmiento, the extra tid-bits; but it's nothing if the writing isn't good. And thankfully, this Godfrey's writing is very good. 

This is an almost entirely sung through show, suiting the story well. You get invested straight from the Prologue; the songs are catchy, the lyrics are very smart and witty (it points to itself being a musical about a crazy idea more than a few time), and it gives the actors some meat they can work with to make us fall in love with these characters. 

And you don't fall in love with two characters quicker than Larry, and his girlfriend Carol, played by Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins. 

These two really are the heart of the show. Not only are Larry and Carol written beautifully but McCullagh and Hoskins shine off each other. 

They both have this kookiness which fits these eccentric characters, but have hearts as big as the balloons which launch Larry off into the sky. 

They truly are the perfect pair

If you are able to, whichever end of the UK you are from, then you need to see 42 Balloons. I truly think that this amazing new piece is just what the musical theatre world needs. And when it (hopefully, inevitably) takes flight, be among that few who said "I was at the premiere".