Barnum
Theatre Royal Brighton
until Sat 7 March 2026
Nearly forty years before ‘The Greatest Showman’ became a worldwide phenomenon, the life story of Phineas Taylor Barnum was the focus of another major musical, which took Broadway (starring Jim Dale) and the West End (with Michael Crawford) by storm. Simply titled ‘Barnum’, the show was last seen in the West End in 1986 having run for 5 years. Since then, there has been a major production in Chichester (in a big top) and two major revivals.
The latest Bill Kenwright touring production began its journey at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury in 2024, under the direction of Jonathan O’Boyle and choreography by Obi Matuse. This year, Barnum embarks on a major tour with Lee Mead starring as the fast-talking impresario.
The production chronicles the showman’s life, beginning with his first major venture, ‘Barnum’s American Museum’, where he exhibited a variety of curiosities and oddities, often embellished with exaggerated claims (humbugs) to make them more enticing. After the museum burns down, Barnum takes his show on tour, gaining respectability when he signs Jenny Lind, a Swedish opera singer. This decision impacts his personal life, so he returns to his hometown Bridgeport to pursue other careers, before eventually joining forces with James Bailey to form the renowned Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Lee Mead, portraying ‘The Prince of Humbug’ Phineas Taylor Barnum, is captivating, expertly balancing both the showman and the human aspects of his character. He displays excellent onstage chemistry with Monique Young, who plays his wife Charity, and their witty exchanges are a joy to witness. The highs and lows of Barnum’s success, and the toll they take on them both, are palpable.
The supporting cast are excellent, Penny Ashmore as the Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind has the loveliest voice and turns on the femme fatale charm beautifully. Dominique Planter & Fergus Rattigan play Joyce Heth and General Tom Thumb respectively, two of Barnum’s main attractions. Eamon Cox as the ringmaster, is deft at bridging the gap between the audience and the performance.
Circus and entertainment are central to the show. The highly skilled ensemble, rarely offstage, play instruments onstage, sing, dance, fly, tumble and juggle, and the production provides numerous opportunities for them to showcase their talents. As regional theatres go, the Theatre Royal Brighton has a very small stage but every inch of space was used to its maximum with the audience not knowing where to look next. Unfortunately, occasionally eyes were drawn to a couple of the less enthusiastic and awkward members of the company not to mention the baggy tights, which I am sure were meant to be authentic but unnecessarily distracting.
But these are small things, overall Barnum is a dazzling feast for the eyes. The finest touring musical I have seen for a long time. It is everything a musical should be, evoking many emotions and sending you away with a spring in your step and humming the many songs that become earworms.
Bravo! I want to run around the block and see a new show start!
Reviewer: Sammi O’Neill
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cast
Lee Mead as PT Barnum
Monique Young as Charity Barnum
Dominique Planter as Joyce Heth (and others)
Penny Ashmore as Jenny Lind (and others)
Fergus Rattigan as Tom Thumb (and others)
Elena Bluck as Mrs Maddison (and others)
Eamon Cox – Ringmaster (and others)
Jessica Jolleys – Mrs Mortimer (and others)
Kevin Oliver Jones – James Bailey (and others)
Emma Jane Morton – Mrs Stratton (and others)
Sophie Precious Muringu – Scudder (and others)
Tom Sowinski – Lymn (and others)
Tom Sterling – Mr Stratton (and others)
Circus Performers and Ensemble
James Gill, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Lennin Nelson-McCLure, Emily Odunsi, Andre Rodrigues, Ben Scott, Laura Sillett, Niki Tsonopoulou
Tour Dates
3 – 7 Mar Brighton Theatre Royal
10 – 14 Mar Portsmouth Kings Theatre
17 – 21 Mar Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
24 – 28 Mar Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
31 Mar – 4 Apr Bradford The Alhambra Theatre
7 – 11 Apr Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
14 – 18 April Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
21 – 25 Apr Birmingham Hippodrome
28 Apr – 2 May Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
5 – 9 May Swindon Wyvern Theatre
19 – 23 May Woking New Victoria Theatre
26 – 30 May Nottingham Playhouse
2 – 6 Jun Hull New Theatre
9 – 13 Jun Blackpool Opera House
16 – 20 Jun Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
23 – 27 Jun Richmond Theatre
30 Jun – 4 Jul Southend Cliffs Pavilion