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Balloon: A Comedy in Four Acts
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9781025289885
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 136
Weight: 0.82
Height: 0.38 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
Balloon: A Comedy in Four Acts is a vibrant and imaginative play by the acclaimed Irish writer Padraic Colum. Set within the bustling and surreal atmosphere of a high-rise hotel, the work explores themes of social ambition, the search for meaning in a modernizing world, and the inherent comedy of human aspiration. The story follows characters who are drawn to the heights-both literal and metaphorical-symbolized by the presence of a balloon that promises an escape from the mundane reality of the streets below.
Through sharp dialogue and a cast of diverse characters ranging from philosophers to media figures, Colum masterfully blends elements of realism with a dreamlike, symbolic quality. As a significant work from the later period of the Irish Literary Revival, the play captures the tension between the individual's inner desires and the pressures of a rapidly changing society. Padraic Colum, known primarily for his contributions to poetry and folklore, demonstrates his theatrical prowess by crafting a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
Readers and students of 20th-century drama will find Balloon: A Comedy in Four Acts to be a compelling study of modern identity. This play remains a testament to Colum's ability to find poetic truth within the structures of traditional comedy, making it an essential addition to the canon of Irish literature and modernist theater.
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