"Tenderness and real joy" The Stage
“think A Christmas Carol in space…A complete blast… McPake has created several shows for this theatre but this surely has to be one of her best. An airborne triumph.”**** Arifa Akbar, The Guardian
“The brilliant new theatre show from Sherman Theatre and Tilt, perfect for everyone aged 8+ We loved it! …fun and thought-provoking”. Cardiff Mummy Says
“Live theatre at the Sherman once again succeeded in generating a euphoric response like nothing else can.” Rhiwbina Info
“A thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience. It’s clever, entertaining and, at times, surprisingly moving.” Wales 247
Go with Balloon Girl on a wild, fantastical ride through 2000 years of Welsh history.
In this unstoppably fun adventure created by Hannah McPake (Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Alice: Return to Wonderland) you’ll encounter Roman invaders, Viking raiders, Victorian Cardiffians and much more.
Inspired by the extraordinary true story of Cardiff’s very own Balloon Girl, Louisa Maud Evans, our production honours her legacy and bursts with life, laughter and spectacular storytelling. This riotous new show celebrates bravery, the power of curiosity and invites us all to dream bigger, be bolder and embrace our own spirit of adventure.
Prepare to be lifted up by the wonder and joy of Balloon Girl – the perfect show for curious young minds and grown up imaginations.
The Story:
Tech-billionaire Carol Gaudron is about to launch the first civilian crewed mission to Mars.
But is it as safe as Carol is suggesting?
On the eve of the launch, a time-traveling Victorian teenage ghost turns up in a hot air balloon and takes Carol on a thrilling ride through 2000 years of Welsh history; from the Romans to the Vikings to the Victorians and beyond.
Will Carol see the error of her ways and cancel the launch? Or is history about to repeat itself?
Who will enjoy Balloon Girl?
Balloon Girl is specially created for everyone aged 8+. Hannah McPake is celebrated for creating irreverent, fantastical and relevant theatre shows which delight children and adults alike. With its breathtaking mix of sci-fi, fantasy, humour and history; Balloon Girl genuinely offers something for everyone.
Three reasons you must see Balloon Girl:
- Balloon Girl promises an uplifting, hopeful, big-hearted entertainment for everyone aged 8+.
- Using incredible sets, costumes and puppetry Hannah’s production is properly spectacular. This is theatre in widescreen.
- Balloon Girl celebrates curiosity and dares us to look up whilst being rooted in real south Wales history. It’s about the world all around us. Balloon Girl asks big questions about our world, including, at what cost does innovation come?
Supported by Arts Council of Wales.
Pay What You Want previews 9 & 10 Oct. We believe everyone should be able to enjoy exceptional entertainment. At our Pay What You Want previews you can choose how much you want to pay for any available seat from the following options: £5, £10, £15, £20, £25
Post-show Discussion
Sat 17 Oct, 4.45pm
Learn more about the historical inspiration behind Balloon Girl at this insightful panel discussion event.
The panel, chaired by writer and director of Balloon Girl Hannah McPake, includes Rosemary Chaloner (author of the factual book The Balloon Girl); Katie Munnik (author of the fictional novel The Aerialists) and Owen Thomas (playwright and author of a monologue for Louisa, created as part of the Cathays Cemetery Graveyard Voices group).
Admission is free to ticketholders for any performance of Balloon Girl. No advance booking is required.
Access Performances:
BSL Interpreter: Caroline Davies
Audio Describer: Michelle Perez
Captioner: Erika James (22 Oct) & Eilir Gwyn (23 Oct)
Deaf Theatre Club: Fri 23 Oct, 5:45pm
BSL Interpreter: Miriam Grimshaw
The real-life Balloon Girl and Cardiff’s Great Exhibition
130 years ago, The Fine Arts, Industrial and Maritime Exhibition of 1896 took place in Cardiff.
The Great Exhibition was an enormous undertaking, and remains one of largest events ever held in Wales. Over six months, a million visitors came to the area we now know as Cathays Park.
A Balloon ascent in the exhibition’s velodrome featuring two French aeronauts, Mademoiselle Albertine and Auguste Eugene Gaudron, would go on to make headlines around the world and change the laws of the day.
Read more about the exhibition and the tragic balloon ascension that inspired Balloon Girl here.
For this spectacular production, our professional cast will be joined on stage by members of Sherman Players, our non-professional ensemble:
Conor Corish, Emilia Golinska, Rhiannon Williams, Sarah J Blanch, Sian Menai Jones, Zak Peterffy
