Barnum at the Chichester Festival Theatre

The greatest show on earth

Chichester Festival Theatre presents Barnum, the musical based on America’s greatest showman

“Barnum’s the name, P T Barnum, and I want to tell you that tonight, on this stage, you are going to see – bar none – every sight, wonder and miracle that name stands for!” This exhilarating musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, America’s greatest showman.

The story of his life and marriage to Chairy reveals that she was the practical one who made Barnum’s dreams come true. The production follows the legendary impresario’s life as he lit up the world with the colour, warmth and excitement of his imagination and finally teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus – the Greatest Show on Earth.

The Theatre in the Park’s vast tented environment creates the perfect home for this brilliant uplifting musical, shot through with the magic of circus.

Chichester Festival Theatre’s growing reputation for producing world-class musicals has seen its recent productions of Singin’ In The Rain, Sweeney Todd and Kiss Me, Kate all gather five star reviews and transfer to the West End.

Now Chichester Festival Theatre has co-produced their summer musical Barnum with Cameron Mackintosh. Described by the New York Times as ‘the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world’, his numerous credits include Cats, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Mary Poppins.

Barnum, Theatre In The Park, Chichester Festival Theatre, playing until 31 August, 01243 781312, www.cft.org.uk