42 balloons
ABOUT THE SHOW
Global Musicals & Alchemation, (the UK and US Producers of SIX The Musical), are delighted to be mounting a fully staged production of new British musical '42 Balloons' following its sellout concerts at the Vaudeville in 2023. This new production will be opening at The Lowry Theatre in April 2024.
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.
No, seriously. In a chair.
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.
Featuring an irresistible, 80s pop-inspired score, 42 BALLOONS questions how far you would go to make your dreams come true. Is the sky actually the limit, and what happens if it doesn’t all go to plan?
Writer: Jack Godfrey
Director: Ellie Coote
Musical Supervisor: Joe Beighton
Choreographer: Alexzandra Sarmiento
AUDITIONS
First rounds - 11th, 12th, 14th September
Second rounds - 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st September
Finals - 3rd, 4th, 6th October
You should be available to meet through these dates, as required, in person.
CONTRACT DATES
Rehearsals in London: 4 March – 6 April 2024, Monday to Saturday
Get-In/Tech in Manchester: From 8 April 2024
Dress Rehearsals: 17 April 2024
First Preview: 18 April 2024
Final Performance: 19 May 2024 (six week run)
ROLES:
CAROL'S MUM (FEMALE, 48–60 YEARS)
Pop Mezzo with a more mature, soulful tone - G4 to strong E6 belt. Confident mover. A single parent who wants what is best for her daughter. Strong, wise, protective, cautious, disapproving, conscientious and sensible. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
RON (MALE, 33–45 YEARS)
Baritone with rapping ability. Confident mover. A truck driver and film nerd. Ron once dreamed of becoming a Hollywood filmmaker but gave up on his dream as a teenager. Warm, supportive, honest, open and relaxed. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
DAVID LETTERMAN (MALE, 35 YEARS)
Pop Tenor with rapping ability. Strong dance ability - will also make up part of the featured ensemble, must have proficiency in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop styles. A late night talk show host on NBC. A big TV personality and a showman. Charismatic, confident, funny, often at the expense of the guests on his show. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
KID (FEMALE, 16–24 YEARS)
Rock Mezzo, Strong Belt Strong dance ability A young girl who witnesses Larry’s flight. Energetic, enthusiastic and naive. A young dreamer. Also forms part of the Ensemble - must have proficiency in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop styles. Playing Age: THE PIECE TAKES PLACE OVER 12 YEARS SO THE ACTOR WILL PLAY THROUGH THESE AGES - 12 - 24 we are looking for an adult to play down in age for this role.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
FEMALE FEATURED ENSEMBLE + SWINGS (FEMALE, TRANSGENDER - FEMALE, NON-BINARY, 18–45 YEARS)
Seeking strong triple threat performers - must have strong dance ability with proficiency in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop styles. Unique, interesting vocal style - confident with rock and pop. Characterful and quirky individuals. Variety of ages, vocal ranges and appearances. Please note: most ensemble tracks will be required to cover principals therefore should have strong leading pop vocals alongside the appropriate dance styles. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
MALE FEATURED ENSEMBLE + SWINGS (MALE, TRANSGENDER - MALE, NON-BINARY, 18–45 YEARS)
Seeking strong triple threat performers - must have strong dance ability with proficiency in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop styles. Unique, interesting vocal style - confident with rock and pop. Characterful and quirky individuals. Variety of ages, vocal ranges and appearances. Please note: most ensemble tracks will be required to cover principals therefore should have strong leading pop vocals alongside the appropriate dance styles. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
OFFSTAGE COVER - CAROL VAN DEUSEN (FEMALE, 28–40 YEARS)
**THIS ROLE WILL BE AN OFFSTAGE COVER** Rock/Pop Mezzo, Strong belt. Confident mover, quirky. A secretary for a TV company. Shy, cautious, risk-averse, protective, resourceful, grounded, practical and kind. Carol becomes more assertive and confident as the story progresses. Playing Age: THE PIECE TAKES PLACE OVER 34 YEARS SO THE ACTOR WILL PLAY THROUGH THESE AGES 20 - 52. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
OFFSTAGE COVER - LARRY WALTER (MALE, 28–40 YEARS)
**THIS ROLE WILL BE AN OFFSTAGE COVER** Rock Tenor. Confident mover, quirky. A truck driver and Vietnam veteran. An outsider, nerdy, awkward, hopeful, optimistic, intense, stubborn and fiercely determined. A dreamer who wears his heart on his sleeve. Playing Age: THE PIECE TAKES PLACE OVER 34 YEARS SO THE ACTOR WILL PLAY THROUGH THESE AGES 20 - 44. We are committed to diverse, inclusive casting. For every role please submit performers without regard to disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Appearance:
Black-Other Areas, Black-Caribbean, Black-African, African-American, Scandinavian, White, Eastern European, Mediterranean, East Asian, Pakistani, Asian, Indian, Filipino/Malay/Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mixed Race, Maori, Latin American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, North African
Contract type:
Equity - UK Theatre (Commercial)
Contract info:
Salary above Equity Minimum. Holiday is not permitted during the period of engagement, but is payable as an addition to salary.
For consideration please email a CV, headshot & any relevant reels to casting@pearsoncasting.com
with YOUR NAME/42BALLOONS in the subject box.
PLEASE CHECK WHETHER YOUR AGENT HAS ALREADY SUGGESTED YOU ON SPOTLIGHT BEFORE SUGGESTING YOURSELF