Key Points
- Sherman Theatre in Cardiff will stage Balloon Girl, which is a new piece created by Tilt and mixes 2,000 years of Welsh history with time travel and comedy.
- Written and directed by Hannah McPake, the play is based on the real-life tragedy of Louisa Maud Evans, a 14-year-old girl who was killed while attempting a hot air balloon parachute landing in Cardiff in 1896.
- The plot links a contemporary Mars rocket launch in 2026 to the history of the Victorian era, Roman and Viking invasions and the group of adventuresses called ‘The Navigators.’
- Among the members of the ensemble cast are Elan Davies, Elin Phillips, Mari Fflur, Oliver Wood, Keiron Self, Seren Vickers, François Pandolfo and Rebecca Wilson.
- According to Alice Gregory, who reports for Wales 247, the show uses the local history as a basis for the exploration of topics such as ambition, responsibility and humanity’s failure to learn from its mistakes.
Cardiff (Cardiff Daily) October 16, 2026 – Sherman Theatre has launched Balloon Girl, a theatrical production co-produced by Tilt that navigates two millennia of Welsh history through a blend of time travel, comedy, and Victorian tragedy. Written and directed by Hannah McPake, the play centres on the true story of 14-year-old Louisa Maud Evans, who lost her life during a balloon exhibition in 1896. As reported by Alice Gregory of Wales 247, the narrative juxtaposes a high-stakes 2026 Mars rocket launch with historical milestones, prompting modern characters to confront ethical questions surrounding ambition and human progress.
What Is the Plot of Balloon Girl at Sherman Theatre?
The production opens in the year 2026 at a press conference for an ambitious rocket launch headed to Mars. As detailed by Alice Gregory of Wales 247, Carol Gaudron—played by Elin Phillips—is the founder of Gaudron Galactic and has selected an everyday astronaut, Eloise, for the pioneering mission with the aid of her artificial intelligence assistant, Albi.
However, the venture faces immediate scrutiny. As reported by Alice Gregory of Wales 247, journalist Thora Gronberg, played by Elan Davies, questions the safety of the launch during the briefing, asking:
“Is the rocket actually safe? Has everything been properly considered? And is Eloise really being given the opportunity of a lifetime, or is she little more than a guinea pig?”
Seeking perspective, Carol is visited by the ghost of Louisa Maud Evans, also known as stage performer ‘Mademoiselle Albertina’. Fearful that history is repeating itself, Louisa guides Carol through a time-bending journey across centuries of Welsh heritage.
How Does the Production Incorporate Real Victorian History into the Narrative?
At the core of the drama is a historical event from Cardiff’s past. In 1896, during the city’s Maritime and Industrial Exhibition, 14-year-old Louisa Maud Evans attempted a parachute descent from a hot air balloon organised by impresario Eugene Gaudron. The display ended in tragedy when Louisa fell and lost her life, creating profound public grief across the community, which ultimately raised funds for her funeral and memorial at Cathays Cemetery.
According to Alice Gregory of Wales 247, the production moves beyond a straightforward retelling of these events. McPake utilises the historical tragedy to examine how modern ambitions mirror past recklessness. As noted by Alice Gregory of Wales 247, Carol discovers
“how her ancestor Eugene Gaudron took advantage of a young, innocent girl in pursuit of an ambitious spectacle, with devastating consequences.”
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Who Are the Key Characters and Performers in the Ensemble Cast?
The time-travel narrative features a dynamic cast handling multiple historical and modern roles. Alongside Elin Phillips and Elan Davies, Mari Fflur portrays both Eloise and Louisa, bridging the modern astronaut with the historical victim.
Oliver Wood takes on the dual roles of Albi the AI and Gil, a reluctant talking seagull sidekick who assists Carol on her journey. Keiron Self plays several figures, including Eugene Gaudron, Mike, Bjorn, Gaudronicus, and a dog walker. Additional performances are delivered by Seren Vickers, François Pandolfo, and Rebecca Wilson, who bring various eras of Welsh history to life.
Reviewing the performances, Alice Gregory of Wales 247 noted that
“both deliver wonderfully memorable performances, bringing plenty of character and humour to their roles,”
specifically highlighting Oliver Wood and Keiron Self among the ensemble.
Background of the Particular Development
The staging of Balloon Girl at the Sherman Theatre represents a continuation of contemporary Welsh theatrical works that platform regional heritage, local archives, and site-specific historical narratives. Tilt, the co-producing company co-founded by writer and director Hannah McPake, has established a reputation for creating imaginative productions that integrate physical theatre, comedy, and narrative depth. By reviving the forgotten or lesser-known accounts of Victorian Cardiff—such as the 1896 tragedy of Louisa Maud Evans—the production aligns with a wider movement within Welsh arts and culture to re-examine local archives and memorialise historical figures whose stories might otherwise remain obscure outside academic research.
This theatrical development and its critical reception are expected to drive increased public engagement with local history across South Wales, particularly by drawing theatregoers to educational and cultural institutions like the Sherman Theatre and Cathays Cemetery. Furthermore, productions that weave historical local tragedies into speculative frameworks—such as modern space exploration—tend to stimulate wider public discourse on workplace safety, ethical innovation, and corporate responsibility among audiences and regional commentators.
