Barnum Live at Milton Keynes Theatre THIS WEEK - PLUS REVIEW

Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.

Matt Rawle (Cabaret, Evita, Les Misérables) will take centre stage as the legendary 19th century showman P.T. Barnum. This spectacular production directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!

Simon Tuck saw this on Tuesday Night

Just wow. I haven’t seen a stage bursting at the seams with singing, dancing, musicians, acrobats and actors for a long time. *Barnum* is exactly that: an explosion of energy, colour and talent from beginning to end.

We follow the story of P. T. Barnum, played by **Matt Rawle**, as he moves from gathering unusual acts and displaying them in his museum to creating the famous circus that would make him a household name. After a devastating fire, Barnum and his performers travel across the USA, rebuilding their lives and his show along the way. The story also follows his meeting with the celebrated singer **Jenny Lind, played by Penny Ashmore**, and the effect that relationship has on his marriage to **Charity Barnum, played by Monique Young**.

Barnum is attracted to Jenny’s fame and the opportunities she represents, but this gradually pulls him away from Charity. Their relationship becomes increasingly strained before they are eventually reunited. Barnum then moves into politics, only to return to the razzmatazz of show business with a new partner and a renewed sense of purpose.

It is quite a story, and it is told through a wonderful mixture of music, drama, comedy and spectacle. The songs drive the action forward, while the acrobatics add an astonishing visual element. There were some truly death-defying moments performed high above the stage, and I often found myself watching with my mouth open in amazement.

The musicians were positioned around the performers, creating the feeling that the music was part of the circus itself. Rather than being hidden away in an orchestra pit, they became part of the world of the show. Their presence added to the excitement and helped maintain the constant sense of movement. The actors, singers, acrobats and musicians worked together beautifully. Nothing felt out of place or as though one element was competing with another; every performer had an important contribution to make.

The staging was wonderfully imaginative. The set moved between a traditional big top, the space in front of the curtains, a piano and the steps of a building. These simple settings were transformed by the performers, lighting and costumes. The bright, colourful costumes captured the spirit of Barnum’s circus, while the later use of black and white created a striking contrast. It made the changes in mood and circumstance particularly effective.

The relationship between P. T. Barnum and Charity Barnum was believable, and Matt Rawle and Monique Young created genuine chemistry between them. Their love, arguments and eventual reconciliation felt grounded within the larger-than-life story. The love Barnum feels for Jenny Lind was also convincing, although it becomes clear that his ambition and desire for success come at a considerable emotional cost. By the end, both Barnums have lost someone they love, which gives the story a surprisingly moving quality beneath all the spectacle.

The ensemble deserve enormous praise. They were not simply there to fill the stage or provide background movement. Each performer had a role to play, and together they created the busy, vibrant world of the circus. **Fergus Rattigan’s General Tom Thumb** was particularly memorable and featured in a fantastic number. **Dominique Planter’s Joice Heth**, described as the oldest nurse of George Washington, was another wonderful character.

The songs included some familiar numbers, especially **“Come Follow the Band”** and **“The Colours of My Life”**—the two songs I knew and remembered from seeing *Barnum* with **Michael Crawford**. Hearing them again brought back fond memories, while the spectacular staging gave them a fresh energy.

This production of *Barnum* is colourful, emotional, funny and thrilling. It offers something for everyone: memorable songs, impressive circus skills, strong performances and a story about ambition, love and the price of fame. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and spectacular night at the theatre.

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Barnum first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage. And now, Matt Rawle steps into Barnum’s shoes and on to the tightrope!

Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. Barnum features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.

Music by Cy Coleman | Lyrics by Michael Stewart | Book by Mark Bramble

This show includes smoke, haze, gunshots, fire, loud noise, flashing lights, darkness, latex balloons and clowns, and contains depictions of racism, slavery and the exploitation of children, animals and mermaids.

Please note: Matt Rawle will perform in Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Wimbledon, and Torquay shows. Casting will differ for other tour venues.

Barnum Live at Milton Keynes Theatre THIS WEEK - PLUS REVIEW

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