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Description: Aletta Collins's dance-drama based on the film and story by Albert Lamorisse, featuring original music by Mieko Shimizu and Peter Morris. Not suitable for under sevens.
Trains: Tube: Covent Garden 
Phone: 0207304 4000
Website: www.roh.org.uk
Having a ball: Dominic North as Pascal with his inflatable companion
The Royal Opera House has a good track record of producing new family ballets down in its basement studio theatre. Will Tuckett had a tip-top run with Wind in the Willows, Pinocchio and Thief of Baghdad, and now Aletta Collins follows through with The Red Balloon.
It is a lovely-looking adaptation of Albert Lamorisse’s 1956 fantasy short of the same name, which tells the story of a young French boy who’s befriended by a helium-filled red balloon. The balloon seems to have a mind of its own, keeping the young boy company, playing pranks and having fun.
Lamorisse’s film is an ideal source for a ballet because while it’s not quite silent, it has almost no dialogue, meaning Collins doesn’t have to think up ingenious ways of converting dialogue into steps.
Apart from being a little too long, and a little too literal, this sweet show is great for the under-10s. The best thing about it is the way it looks, with both the sets (Giles Cadle) and costumes (Gabrielle Dalton) evoking a nicely retro, crayon-drawn impression of Fifties Paris.
The four-piece band zips through the slightly jazzy score by Street Furniture duo Peter Morris and Mieko Shimizu, and the puppets are charming. Designed by Rachael Canning and operated on stage by Liz Walker, the cat is a marmalade moggy with appealing cat-isms (purring, meowing, pawing).
Highlight of the 60 minutes is the circus scene, with Philip Herbert a corpulent Ring Master and the ensemble cast ace acrobats and clowns. The cluster balloon ride makes a wonderful close.
As I say, the show is no more than it seems, and the choreography just running and jumping. But as a tale for tots, it has a gentle appeal.
Until 18 April. Information: 020 7304 4000, www.roh.org.uk
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
