BARNUM: THE CIRCUS MUSICAL

Where to start? Barnum is a strange beast of a musical to be sure, a massive, blousy, noisy, full on piece of musical theatre. The story of an obsessive and driven man, in many ways something of an entertainment visionary, and we are told a man who rather than exploiting people of difference is their champion, celebrating difference. That of course may be our contemporary values being added to the story, you have to hope not of course, but it does add a poignant element to the story.

But above all this is a story about spectacle and my word this new touring production is spectacular! It’s a massively lavish show to which no expense seems to have been spared, from a stunning and cleverly conceived set and costuming by Lee Newby, excellent scoring and orchestrations from musical supervisor George Dyer and an almost relentlessly busy staging from director Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographer Oti Mabuse.

Busy is the key word here, apart from the occasional moment of quiet, the stage is packed. Packed with actor musicians who we are told will play over 150 instruments during the performance (I suspect that number bolstered by kazoos at one point), and an expert company of acrobats and circus skilled performers who tumble and soar, dance and even eat fire! Are you getting an impression that this is truly a spectacular spectacle of a show, I hope so, because it really is. There is even a wonderful and huge elephant puppet!

Lee Mead Photo Pamela Raith

At the centre of the piece is Lee Mead, totally believable as Barnum although on this occasion poor Lee was poorly, an ankle injury preventing him from walking the tightrope. It mattered not a jot, the man can certainly sing and he made light of the missing moment, which in no way altered the show, except perhaps for disappointing a few members of the audience, who like me had seen Michael Crawford back in the 1980s.

Penny Ashmore Photo Pamela Raith

The cast of the show is as large as the show itself. I counted at least 21, but so frantic is the action that there could easily be more. And not only do the majority of them have to multi task musically, they also have to deal with playing multiple roles. They must finish the show exhausted and need a lie down to recover. It seems somewhat unfair not to name each and every one as there is not a weak member of this talented company on stage. That said there are some notable performances. Monique Young is excellent as the weary but tolerant Mrs Barnum, dealing with the bunkum in her own manipulative manner. Penny Ashmore is delightful as Jenny Lind, matching comedy with a soaring and rich vocal performance to which she adds playing the harp, talk about multi tasking!

Dominique Planter Photo Pamela Raith

Dominique Planter’s voice is a force of nature and one to be taken very seriously and her stage presence is so very engaging throughout. Fergus Rattigan’s General Tom Thumb is well portrayed with an element of naivety that works in the core of the story. Eamonn Cox is marvellous as Ringmaster and almost never seems to be without a variety of instruments to hand, so much talent, so much energy and bluster and brilliance, in a show that is delivered with… well so much bluster and brilliance…

…and there lies my one caveat, this company are giving their all to a work that never quite makes it to being seen as amongst the greats of musical theatre. Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart’s songs are okay, perhaps two notable, but the whole is boisterous oompah pah for the most part. Mark Bramble’s book is weak, the story and the characters barely explored or developed leaving the whole to hang on the spectacle.

Thank goodness then that this new production does just what is required and that is to deliver spectacle spectacularly!

Andrew Kay

3 March

Theatre Royal Brighton

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