Welcome to the island of Helium where Betsy lives with her balloon-factory-owning family. They’re cheerful, a bit money-mad and life is on the up.
But when the tide turns against balloons, their world pops. Betsy must start a new life in a faraway city with her eccentric uncle, Hercules Snark, an inventor of mostly half-finished things.
Unfortunately, Snark has problems of his own. In his city, it never stops raining. The streets are flooding. And things, quite literally, are starting to sink.
Betsy Balloon is a rambunctious modern fable with original music and illustration based on a story by Bill Manhire.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Aimée Sullivan: Betsy Balloon
Jackson Burling: Hercules Snark
Nigel Collins: Narrator
Joel Baxendale: Director
Bill Manhire: Original Story and Lyrics
Gavin McGibbon: Stageplay
Moniker: Music
Andrew Laking: Producer
Stephen Templer: Illustrations
Image by Rebecca McMillan Photography
This show is just the beginning. There’s plenty more to discover for curious young minds and their caregivers, with lots of FREE activities and experiences to enjoy throughout the festival. Explore them here.
Co-commissioned by Auckland Live and Creative New Zealand’s Festival Commissioning and Presentation Fund managed by PANNZ.
Proudly part of the Auckland Council whānau
Location
Te wāhi
Local tip
He tīwhiri mō te rohe
Arrive early and explore the surrounding Aotea Arts Quarter. Aotea Square, The Civic, Aotea Centre and Q Theatre are all within a few minutes’ walk, with plenty of nearby dining options before or after a show.
Getting there
Te huarahi ki reira
Auckland Town Hall sits on Queen Street opposite Aotea Square. Te Waihorotiu Station is around a 2-minute walk away, while Waitematā Station and the ferry terminal are around a 17–20 minute walk down Queen Street. Frequent bus services stop nearby, and The Civic Car Park provides convenient parking close to the venue. For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
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