Video: A new version of The Nutcracker in Nechells with 110,000 balloons

Fifty-five balloon artists from around the world have gathered in Birmingham to set the stage for a performance of Nutcracker by the BMOS theatre company.

The set includes 110,000 balloons and the artists spent four days building the spectacle. The production aims to raise funds for Birmingham based youth charity Free@Last in Nechells where the production is taking place this weekend at Nechells Wellbeing Centre. There are six performances on Saturday and Sunday.

BirminghamWorld went behind the scenes to see how the preparations are going.

Naomi Spencer, Host of Big Balloon Build, says: “So the process of making the event go like this, has been planning since the beginning of February.

“We’ve got six team members who have been constantly on the phone, zooming, from all around the world - planning, making sure that all the balloons are in stock and coming over to us.

“And this week, we started on Monday. So we have been building now for four days. And as you can see, it’s getting there. It’s looking amazing.”

“free@last is a children’s charity in Nechell’s and our goal is to eradicate poverty. So we help as many children and families around Nechell’s to make sure that they have a better life and a better upbringing.”

Stuart Davies, Director of Big Balloon Build says: “We created an amazing, immersive balloon Wonderland, out of 100,000 balloons. They’ve been supplied by Pioneer worldwide, and they’re all in aid of the charity Free at last.”

“We’ve created four stages for them. So we’ve created an under the trees theme, an enchanted forest theme, a castle and a ballroom. And they’ve got 12 original musical numbers that they will be having a dance and performance to and we’re hoping people will be buying tickets, which will all go to a charity free@last.”

Liz Romani, Balloon Artist, says: “So excited. So I’m the team leader for the big balloon build for the forest section. So we’re doing the battle scene with the nutcrackers and the rat soldiers.

“So right now we’re working on the backdrop, which is basically like a bunch of forest trees. So we’re working on the canopies, the tree canopies, and obviously all of the branches and stuff so super excited to be here. I’m, like, honoured to be here. I love it. I love the city. I love the people.”

For more information and to get your tickets to this amazing production of The Nutcracker go to the website at BMOS Musical Theatre

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