The stage show of the famous showman is back on tour! Most people will know of the story of PT Barnum from the movie “The Greatest Showman” with Hugh Jackman, but the play itself dates back to the 80s.
Tonight Lee Mead takes the central role of PT Barnum for this run, and from the off he is front and centre as the cheeky, wisecracking showman. As the stage scrim rises to reveal the bright, colourful circus ring set, splendidly realised by set designer Lee Newby, Barnum is at home. We have “BARNUM” in lights backdrop, we have acrobatics, musician actors all in 1900 period clothing, all intermingling, all singing, and the ensemble are everywhere, quite the opening.
Barnum’s wife, a feisty, no nonsense woman named Charity, is played by Monique Young, a committed Mother supporting Taylor (Barnum going by his middle name) with his dreams. They duet on the song “The Colours of My Life,” both displaying great singing voices and on stage chemistry, arm in arm gazing into each other’s eyes, smiling wide. We follow PT through the triumph and tragedy as his dream is shattered on the eve of a New York trip when his museum burns down. He reminisces on his work in “The Museum Song,” an almost tongue twister of a romp. The main attraction of PT’s circus, Dumbo the elephant—a clever puppet creation—was accompanied by General Tom Thumb (Fergus Rattigan) singing “Bigger isn’t Better,” which got rapturous applause.
Charity Barnum’s soon to be love rival Jenny Lind, portrayed by Taylor Swift lookalike Penny Ashmore, was introduced with some comedic byplay around her Swedish accent, and Barnum tells the audience of his many funny choices for her stage name before settling on Swedish Nightingale. Lind’s operatic voice talent matched by her harp playing whilst a solo acrobat spun above her in a hoop during her song “Love made a fool of us all.”
Barnum’s choice between the two women was portrayed via a tightrope walk. The audience was deadly silent as Barnum began the suspenseful feat, as his wife and Jenny Lind watched at separate ends of the wire from their theatre boxes, the effort this must have taken Lee Mead to learn is incredible.
Song after song and the set pieces continued, a highlight had to be “Join The Circus” coupled with Finale. The choreography and costumes as the ensemble marched around was fantastic. Bass drums, trumpets, clowns, acrobats spinning off ropes with one hand, others leaping off a seesaw spinning in the air, all with Barnum leading now as the established Ringmaster in top hat and suit, so much happening this was the definition of the circus coming to town and for one night all of us wanted to. It wasn’t without its faults, a fire eater wasn’t particularly exciting and Charity’s death was confusing and not explained properly, but these were small gripes from an exciting show overall.
Thanks to Alhambra Theatre for the review tickets
John Mather ★★★ ★
