Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2008 > July > 21 > Entry
Review: ‘Red Balloon’ at Salvage Vanguard Theatre
Accompanied by the tinkle of a glockenspiel, Mark Stewart slowly spins, hugging a giant red balloon. The moment is enchanting.
Stewart is the artistic director of Tongue and Groove Theatre and the central boy in the company’s newest production, “The Red Balloon.” The play, running at Salvage Vanguard Theatre through July 26, brings the short 1956 French film of the same name to the stage.
But it is the production’s offstage aspects — a live band playing music by Justin Sherburn and animated projections by Jennifer Sherburn — that give the show warmth. By the time a cadre of balloons float the boy away as real balloons rain down, I felt like Stewart’s balloon — hugged in public. The play’s sentimentality is not too gooey, but instead fresh and charming.
Through movement and cartoon, Sherburn, who is also the choreographer, creates a stroll-able city for Stewart and cohort. Projections of city sidewalks and buildings scroll backwards as the actors walk in place. With the exception of the oddly graceful balloon that thinks for itself, this is any city, anywhere. The anonymous locale is the play’s largest shift from the film, which situates its characters in post-WWII Paris.
But comfort can be more openly prized in the Tongue and Groove show than in a war-torn France. The show’s music progresses from tinkle and plip-plop to harder rock. The eight-person ensemble picks up the audience and cast, carrying them along. Stewart and his balloon will face adversity; Kelli Bland is the funniest long-legged hoodlum in the duo’s path. No matter: Music, cartoon and omniscient balloon assure that all will end well.
(Tongue and Groove Theatre’s ‘The Red Balloon’ continues at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday through July 26 at Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road. $10-$30, sliding scale.)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment Categories: Reviews
Comments
Click here to report comment abuse.
By Ellen Hilburn
July 21, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
The Red Balloon is truly one of the greatest short films I’ve ever seen. When I first saw it in fifth grade, it made such an impact on me. I have since bought the DVD of the classic and a hard copy of the book. When I was in Paris about a year and a half ago, I was reminded of it by walking familiar streets I’d seen in that movie as a kid. Definitely a classic!
By Hilah Johnson
July 21, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
The animation was actually done by Leah Sharpe. Jennifer Sherburn was the projectionist.