Thousands of schoolchildren across Cardiff will have the opportunity to experience live theatre for free this autumn, thanks to a new initiative from Cardiff Council’s Curriculum Team.
Funded by Cardiff Commitment, the scheme will provide schools with complimentary tickets to Balloon Girl at Sherman Theatre, helping remove financial barriers and ensuring more young people can enjoy a high-quality cultural experience.
Created by Sherman Theatre and Tilt, Balloon Girl is a brand-new production written and directed by Hannah McPake. Inspired by the remarkable true story of aviation pioneer Louisa Maud Evans, the play follows a daring 14-year-old Victorian circus performer who moves to Cardiff in search of opportunity.
Blending history with imagination, the production takes audiences on a journey through 2,000 years of Welsh history, travelling from Roman Britain to Victorian Wales. Designed for pupils aged eight and above, the show combines spectacular storytelling with local history, making it a valuable learning experience that supports the Curriculum for Wales across a range of subjects.
The experience doesn’t end when the curtain falls. Schools attending the performance will also receive dedicated educational resources, allowing teachers to explore the production’s themes, history and ideas back in the classroom through discussion and creative activities.
Councillor Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, said:
“Every child deserves the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts. Theatre can open minds, spark curiosity, build confidence and help bring learning to life in ways that simply can’t be replicated in the classroom.
“Balloon Girl offers a unique opportunity for pupils to connect with Cardiff’s rich history through an inspiring story of courage, adventure and determination. By providing free access and accompanying educational resources, we are ensuring that as many children as possible can benefit from this experience and continue exploring the themes long after the performance has ended.”
The initiative builds on the success of The Fight, a major partnership between Cardiff Council’s Curriculum Team, Theatr na nÓg and the Arts Council of Wales, which saw more than 2,000 Cardiff pupils attend performances in 2025.
The production explored themes including racism, identity, social justice and resilience, with many of the participating schools using the accompanying resources to continue discussions long after their theatre visit.
The impact was particularly significant for pupils who are often underrepresented in cultural opportunities. Of those who attended The Fight, 61% came from communities in Cardiff’s Southern Arc, 38% were eligible for Free School Meals, 37% were from shared or global-majority heritage backgrounds and 10% had Additional Learning Needs.
Councillor Merry added:
“The success of The Fight showed just how powerful shared cultural experiences can be. Not only did pupils engage with important social themes, but schools also used the accompanying resources to embed learning back in the classroom.
“We know that access to arts and culture plays an important role in supporting the Curriculum for Wales, helping young people become ambitious, capable learners who are curious about the world around them. We are delighted to build on that success by offering schools the opportunity to experience Balloon Girl and all it has to offer.”
The programme forms part of Cardiff Council’s wider ambition to work with the city’s cultural organisations to make arts and theatre more accessible to young people, with plans already underway for the next collaboration, The Mab by Taking Flight Theatre, which is scheduled for spring 2027.
