42 Balloons - Vaudeville / Lowry

[djdan14]

I saw this last night and was in love from the start - definitely a new favourite and I did something I’ve never done before and went and bought a t-shirt - will be back again before the end of this run!



BurlyBeaR can we get a poll? 🎈

[richey]

Some official production shots

[BurlyBeaR]

Poll added 🎈

[mrmarmelstein]

I was lucky enough to see this on Saturday night and went in without knowing very much about it at all, other than positive buzz from the concert. Fully agree with all that’s been said above, it’s an exciting and fresh new musical that was in incredibly strong shape for its 4th(?) preview. It’s a varied score with some incredibly catchy numbers, with Evelyn Hoskins’ Helium being a particular standout.

It’s such a quirky story and I definitely recommend not reading too much about it in advance, there are a handful of twists and turns that took me by complete surprise.

It is also clear from the excellent set, staging and full range of merch that this has some decent investment behind it and plans for a future life. I very much look forward to seeing where it goes next!

[Steve]

Apr 24, 2024 15:42:22 GMT mrmarmelstein said:

It’s a varied score with some incredibly catchy numbers, with Evelyn Hoskins’ Helium being a particular standout. . .

It is also clear from the excellent set, staging and full range of merch that this has some decent investment behind it and plans for a future life.

Good news on the merch, investment and positive review!

I really hope it comes to London, as I can't make this run.

I did see the Vaudeville concert and agree that Evelyn Hoskins, her character and her song, were the highlight there too.

Back in 2022, I felt there was something a bit underdeveloped about the male protagonist, as I just never understood WHY he did what he did. I'm interested to see if they've developed his motivations.

My identification at the concert was completely with Evelyn Hoskins's character, as her reactions and everything she did were completely comprehensible. And like you say, "Helium" was the peak emotional song.

Seen through Hoskins's character's eyes, the whole story was affecting and worked brilliantly.

All the songs, and song styles, in this were terrific too, with the Lin Manuel Miranda style rap, and some of the rock songs, particularly rousing.

I recall thinking at the time that this and Sylvia were my favourite two new British musicals in development.

Anyway, I really hope this fully staged developed version comes down South.

Fingers crossed.

[PineappleForYou]

What merch have they got? I'm going on Saturday and am psyched having seen the Vaudeville concert in 2022!

[mrmarmelstein]

I think there’s some valid comments there about his motivation, and I also definitely found it more relatable through Carol’s eyes. I didn’t see the concert so can’t say how it compares.

Interesting comment on the “Lin-Manuel style” song - I keep vacillating between thinking it’s a little bit *too* similar to Hamilton vs accepting that it is a just a musical style that’s very identifiable with Hamilton but doesn’t need to be restricted to just that show. I had similar feelings about the rap number in Cable Street (which had more In The Heights vibes).

I didn’t see Sylvia, but with 42 Balloons, Cable Street, Operation Mincemeat and Benjamin Button, to name just a few, I think new British musical theatre is in really good shape at the moment. It also shows the value of nurturing new talent and developing works in progress, which historically has been done so much better on the other side of the pond.

[mrmarmelstein]

Apr 24, 2024 20:16:03 GMT PineappleForYou said:

What merch have they got? I'm going on Saturday and am psyched having seen the Vaudeville concert in 2022!

Can’t remember exactly, but there was certainly a mug, hoodies, t-shirts and lapel pins. Sadly no balloons for sale (although probably a good thing for the sake of the Bad Behaviour thread 🤣) but there is an excellent reproduction lawn chair for photo opportunities in the lobby.

[richey]

[PineappleForYou]

Saw the matinee of this today. Loved it as much as the concert version in 2022 and act two has definitely been fixed a lot. It's ready for bigger things but it felt like a little trim and tighten might be in order. This isn't a criticism; it's like a delicious cheesecake that it very tasty but leaves you a little stuffed!

I truly believe this one is another Mincemeat and will have the same tragedy and fans. Could be a harder sell though. It's also got one of the best soundtracks of any new musical in recent years. Release the full album!

Unfortunately, we had a 30 minute show stop after the opening number because the actor playing "The Kid" had a offstage injury. Luckily, the show ran with a un-rehearsed swing in the role with book in hand - she did fantastic!

Conclusion: This will be back in London.

[david]

Interval thoughts - Get a ticket for this one. I’m absolutely loving this so far. It’s so much fun. 

[BurlyBeaR]

I was there this afternoon too (looked for you but didn’t spot you david). Wasn’t going to book for this until I saw the feedback here. What a great show! I loved it! Performances all fantastic but Evelyn Hoskins as Carole stole it for me. She struck just the right note in every way. Loved the 80s pop/rock score (I think Cyndi Lauper might raise an eyebrow when she hears Give It Up).
Act 1 is stronger for sure, it’s very hard to bring act 2 to a conclusion that’s more dramatic than the “flight” itself but I’m still giving it 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 because it would be churlish not to after such an enjoyable afternoon. Audience loved it, stalls full but tiers were sparse. I’ve recommended it to friends already and I hope it goes further after this run. It deserves it.

[david]

Sorry to have missed you BurlyBeaR. I was in the front row of the stalls (A5). I’ll post a full review later when I get home but that was a 5⭐️ afternoon at the Lowry.

[BurlyBeaR]

Found this video of the real events. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}

[david]

I hadn't planned on seeing this but with an discounted ticket email from Manchestertheatres.com and seeing that the show was doing Sunday performances, I took a punt on this one and the gamble certainly paid off big time with today's viewing at the Lowry's Quays theatre. From start to finish I absolutely loved this one and ticked all the boxes for me. 

I thought the entire cast were a great watch and I'd agree with BurlyBeaR that Everlyn Hoskins as Carole was the standout this afternoon. With a fantastic 80's vibe score from Jack Godfrey, I didn't think there were any weak songs in there that I would skip if a full OCR was available (hopefully the full score might be released later on rather than just the limited studio recording that is currently available). I certainly thought the sound mixing was well done at this show so you could hear both the cast and the band. 

There was some really good use of the projections / video, though I thought that the designers would of included some of the real footage of the balloon flight during those scenes. I bit of missed opportunity there I think. Tonally, I thought the show was spot on with a nice balance of comedy, drama and angst that was well paced for the entire show. 

Using the Quays theatre for me was masterstroke. The design and staging worked well on this smaller stage that would of been lost on the larger Lyric stage. The show certainly got a positive reception at cast bows and I was on my feet applauding this cast at the end which was thoroughly deserved. If you can make it up to Salford for its run here I would strongly recommend doing so. You won't regret it.

Rating - 5 stars / balloons

[capybara]

The first time I saw 42 Balloons in concert at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, I had booked another ticket before I’d even got home. It’s felt like a bit of a wait to hear Jack Godfrey’s fantastic 80s power-pop inspired score but surely it stood to reason that I’d be making the long trip up north to see this show’s first full production.

In Salford’s Lowry theatre, this musical is just as wonderful as before. No, actually it’s even better as now we have Milla Clarke’s innovative set design, essentially set inside a giant weather balloon, to inject further life into the piece. The Lowry’s Quays space proved an inspired choice for this show.

Evelyn Hoskins is once again the star as Carol and ‘Helium’ provides the show-stopping moment that I feel West End audiences will truly appreciate. She is so endearing as Larry’s partner, ultimately you end up viewing his story almost entirely through her eyes. Hoskins really is an incredible watch.

But Charlie McCullagh makes for a very strong lead resuming the role of ‘Lawn Chair’ Larry. Acts one and two vary a lot in tone and McCullagh navigates that range of emotions with relative ease. Special mention for the cast’s new additions of Gillian Hardie (Carol’s mum) and Lejaun Sheppard (Ron), who stepped into their roles wonderfully.

The 80s vibe allows for the show’s ensemble to really feel part of it and, in many ways, they are part of the set. Ellie Coote’s direction keeps the energy high-octane but you do wonder if there are perhaps moments where less would be more, particularly during moments between Larry and Carol, and the wider ensemble would benefit from taking a slight step back.

I also think, prior to the show’s inevitable West End transfer, it needs to explore the possibility of giving Larry his Defying Gravity moment of flight at the end of act one. Both in terms of a slightly more triumphant number and for the audience to actually witness him taking flight.

However, Godfrey has used this full production tryout in Salford to solidify 42 Balloons’ status as Britain’s most exciting new musical. I can’t wait to see it again.

Five stars.

[stevej678]

I saw this on Thursday and have booked to see it again this coming weekend. It felt like there was almost too much to take in and fully appreciate in one viewing. I agree wholeheartedly with the rave reviews for the show and Evelyn Hoskins in particular. Kudos to The Lowry for supporting the development of this. There's no doubt their investment is going to be rewarded with a West End transfer.

[benny20]

Does it have a press night? We go Saturday afternoon

[stevej678]

Apr 29, 2024 12:12:36 GMT benny20 said:

Does it have a press night? We go Saturday afternoon

Thursday 2 May.

[Jonnyboy]

Saw tonight. Just brilliant!

The second act goes to places I did not expect but the show is all the stronger for it.

I’ll be seeing again!

[stevej678]

[BurlyBeaR]

Makes me want to go see it again. I might do!
I really liked the projections. I don’t know what they did for the concert but even now there’s really not a great deal of set. Most of the visuals come from the shape of the stage, the projections, some on stage video cameras for tv studio scenes (no syncing issues) and the band being visible through a crack in the balloon half way up. It was very cool.

Didn’t realise Jack Godfrey was so young! Seems very nice. I think he might have a hit on his hands here.

[djdan14]

Going for my 2nd visit this evening - been listening to the sound track a lot and already pondering 3rd/4th visits before it finishes.

[BurlyBeaR]

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[Jonnyboy]

Just seen this for the second time tonight. Cover Larry was on, and he was just as good (if not better?!). Carol's mother was off too and oddly covered by someone way younger than Carol so it jarred slightly at first!

Stunning, stunning, stunning. Why is this show not selling out every night? I've just booked one final visit before it finishes. Have taken advantage of offers until now but paid full whack for the last time I'll be seeing it. This has quickly become one of my top musicals of all time. It's that good.