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New musical 42 Balloons is rumoured to be coming to London’s West End in 2024.

Written by Jack Godfrey, with dramaturgy by Ellie Coote, 42 Balloons is an exhilarating new musical about stupid dreams and doing whatever it takes to achieve them!

42 Balloons tells the incredible true story of Larry Walters and Carol Van Deusen. In July 1982, the pair constructed an aircraft using a lawn-chair and approximately 42 weather balloons, and launched Larry 16,000 feet into the sky above Los Angeles! It is a story about lifelong dreams, and doing whatever it takes to achieve them.

This joyous new musical features an original 80’s pop inspired score by Jack Godfrey (Babies The Musical).

A staged concert of 42 Balloons took place last November 2022 at the Vaudeville Theatre in London, directed by Ellie Coote, and starring Jordan Broatch, Madeline Charlemagne, Eloise Davies, Evelyn Hoskins, Melissa Jacques, Lemuel Knights, Garry Lee, Charlie McCullagh, Laura Dawn Pyatt, Travis Ross, Dillon Scott-Lewis, and Amelia Walker.

A fully staged production will take place at the Lowry theatre in Salford from 18 April to 19 May 2024, once again starring Charlie McCullagh (Bonnie & Clyde, Dr.Zhivago) as Larry and Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress, Gypsy, Spring Awakening) as Carol.

There is currently no confirmed news of a West End transfer for 42 Balloons, but sign-up to our emails alerts to be the first to know about booking.

42 BALLOONS is an uplifting musical 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 dream of flying.

2nd of July 1982. Using a lawn chair and approximately 42 helium-filled weather balloons, truck driver Larry Walters defied all the odds (and FAA airspace regulations!) to make his lifelong dream a reality and fly sixteen thousand feet above Los Angeles.

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of 42 Balloons?

The Lowry Salford production will star: Charlie McCullagh as Larry, Evelyn Hoskins as Carol, Gillian Hardie as Carol’s Mum, Lejaun Sheppard as Ron, Simon Anthony as Letterman & Cover Ron, Jordan Broatch as Ensemble & Cover Letterman, Maddison Bulleyment as The Kid, Athena Collins as Ensemble & Cover Carol’s Mom, Morgan Gregory as Ensemble, Matt Jones as Swing, Luke Latchman as Ensemble, Rebekah Lowings as Cover Carol, Jamie Pritchard as Cover Larry, Laura Dawn Pyatt as Ensemble & Dance Captain, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda as Ensemble & Assistant Dance Captain, and Natasha Wilde as Swing.

Who are the creative team of 42 Balloons?

Written by Jack Godfrey.

The Lowry Salford production’s creative team includes: Director Ellie Coote, orchestrations and arrangements by Joe Beighton, choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, scenic design by Milla Clarke, costume design by Natalie Pryce, video design by Andrzej Goulding, lighting design by Bruno Poet, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, and music direction by Flynn Sturgeon.

Venue Information

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Critics' reviews of 42 Balloons

★★★★★ "A wonderful, exceptionally touching new musical" - The Times

★★★★★ “Funny, touching, uplifting” - The Stage

★★★★★ "A must-see" - Manchester Evening News

★★★★ "Charming musical about reaching for the sky" - Guardian

★★★★ "A soaring success" - What's On Stage


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, 42 Balloons has matinee performances on the following days:
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