Lighter Than Air

Leave your worries in the Pleasance Courtyard and enter into Lighter Than Air's deliciously whimsical world of balloons and make-believe. A family show that tickles everyone’s sides, this one-man production manages to entertain children of all ages with a gentle combination of circus and comedy.

Clown Danny Schlesinger is a wild balloon tamer who plays with, trains and sometimes bursts his airy creations. From catching a runaway balloon with a giant butterfly net to balancing balloon animals on his nose, he seamlessly moves from one sketch to another in an almost wordless performance that relies on visual performativity to entertain. There are magic tricks, humour and endless balloons that Schlesinger skilfully manipulates – particularly popular is the balloon dog which leaves a balloon poo on stage, or the balloon sword that he swallows up to the hilt.

There is also plenty of audience participation, with young volunteers invited on stage to inflate Schlesinger and then themselves with a balloon pump and jump through inflatable hoops, while spectators are encouraged to cheer or surrender at key moments. To be fair, filling a room full of giant balloons and eager youngsters is unlikely to go wrong, but Schlesinger’s original sketches and comic silliness are what make this show worth watching.

Throughout the 50-minute sketch he rarely loses the audience’s attention, which is impressive considering the majority of those watching are under ten years old. This is simple, light-hearted entertainment that leaves the audience feeling as buoyant as any of Schlesinger’s inflatable creations.