Evelyn Hoskins

42 Balloons

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bursting with bops, bangers and brilliant ballads, 42 Balloons tells the incredible true story of Larry Walters, his determination to fulfil his dreams and the amazing people who helped him to take flight.

Using just a lawn chair and 42 helium filled weather balloons, Larry Walters achieved the seemingly impossible, flying sixteen thousand feet above Los Angeles; and so, ‘Lawn Chair Larry’ was born.

How he achieved his dream, and what happened during and after his 1982 flight are all wonderfully revealed in this exhilarating new musical.

This uplifting production which was originally performed as a semi-stage concert back in 2022 makes its world premier at Salford’s Lowry theatre and soars from the moment the Prologue begins. The original score with its strong 80’s influence feels both inventive and nostalgic while Godfrey’s catchy lyrics ensure you’ll be singing these tracks long after the curtain call.

The impressive staging ties-in superbly with the 80’s influence as Andrzej Goulding’s retro video projections illuminate Milla Clarke’s impressive set design, lit to perfection by Bruno Poet. 

Charlie McCullagh takes on the role of Larry and delivers a heartfelt, heartwarming performance. He immediately hooks you in, taking you along for this emotional ride while ensuring you are rooting for Larry from the off. His depth of character allowing us to truly believe in Larry, his dream swiftly becomes a goal we all collectively wish for while his vocals are simply stunning.

Portraying Larry’s partner, Carol Van Deusen, is an excellent Evelyn Hoskins. She brings warmth and wit to the role while giving us world class vocals. Her solo Helium in particular offers the perfect opportunity to showcase her incredible range, ensuing this power ballad packs an emotional punch any 80’s diva would be proud of.

Gillian Hardie has incredible stage presence as Carol’s Mom, singing the Blues in superb style while Lejaun Sheppard, as Larry’s friend Ron adds a further level to this fascinating story. His rich vocals and slick delivery reminding us of Hamilton one moment, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air the next, so creative and inventive is this score.

The leads are supported by an incredible ensemble. They feature almost consistently throughout taking on various roles and elevating this already glorious production to the next level. They deliver Alexzandra Sarmiento’s 80’s inspired choreography with sass as they cleverly move the story along with each impressive scene.

It really does feel like you’re watching the next big thing with its inspired writing, brilliant songs and wonderful storytelling. 42 Balloons truly soars.

The highs are exhilarating while the lows are sensitively and delicately portrayed resulting in a contemporary piece of theatrical perfection. The nostalgic feel will appeal to audiences who lived through the era while its innovative design along with bops a plenty will cement 42 Balloons popularity with younger audiences too.

Special mention must also go to orchestrator, arranger and musical supervisor Joe Beighton. This score will no doubt become a firm favourite amongst theatre fans across the county and no doubt beyond. Delivered on the night by an impressive band led by Flynn Sturgeon with superb sound design from Paul Gatehouse.

The Sky’s the limit for this truly special piece of theatre, get yourself to the Lowry immediately and watch Larry take flight.

42 Balloons is on at The Lowry until Sunday 19th May tickets available here.

Images by Pamela Raith

Waitress

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having been delayed by a year due to the pandemic, theatre fans can finally satisfy their cravings for first-class musical theatre as Broadway and West End smash-hit show Waitress serves up an absolute treat of a night at Manchester’s Opera House.

Based on the 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly, with musical with direction by Diane Paulus, book by Jessie Nelson’ and music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, Waitress is a delicious concoction of self-empowerment, sisterhood, and some seriously satisfying sass.

The story is based around talented baker Jenna (Lucie Jones), who waitresses at Joe’s Pie Diner alongside pals Becky (Sandra Marvin) and Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins), the trio of Southern Belles may be tough talkin’ but their friendship is as sweet as apple pie.

While Jenna is famous locally for her showstopping flavour combinations her private life is nothing worth celebrating. Trapped in an abusive marriage, her thuggish husband Earl (Nathanael Landskroner) belittles her at every opportunity, mocking her baking, pocketing her tips and leaving her under no illusions as to who is the boss; so understandably she’s not delighted when she realises, she has her own bun in the oven.

Jenna’s daily fantasies about ways to escape not only offer up the names to her daily specials but also drive the show, while trysts with her gynaecologist, Dr Pomatter (Matt Willis) bring an unexpected twist.

This feel-good feminist tale has empowerment running right through it as Jenna moves from trying to bake her troubles away to gaining a genuine self-awareness and acceptance of who she is and what she stands for. There are important themes covered in Jessie Nelson’s script such as domestic abuse, unwanted pregnancy, and infidelity, these are balanced perfectly with laugh out loud moments and hilarious close to the bone conversations which will have you blinking back the tears one moment and crying with laughter the next.

This is a musical with pure heart, led extraordinarily buy the sensational Lucie Jones, who delivers stand-out ballad She Used To Be Mine with such raw emotion it’s literally show-stopping. Her ode to the girl she once was is truly breath-taking. She is perfection as Jenna and measures the amount of vulnerability and spirit just right.

Perfectly complimenting Jones are Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins as no-nonsense Becky and wonderfully kooky Dawn. Both are a joy, and the trio together are superb, they breathe brave and brilliant life into each character. Matt Willis is excellent as the clumsy but endearing Dr Pomatter while George Crawford is an absolute delight as scene stealing Ogie. It was wonderful to see Michael Starke back in Manchester delivering a cracking performance as diner owner Joe while Christopher D. Hunt is great fun as Cal.

The lives depicted may be messy and mixed up but they somehow come together to make the perfect recipe leaving the audience uplifted, deeply moved and leaping to their feet for a roaring standing ovation. Waitress is a perfect slice of theatrical magic.

Cathc Waitress at Manchester’s Opera House until Saturday 20th November tickets available here.