Barnum: The Circus Musical has arrived at the Palace Theatre, telling the story of the life of P.T. Barnum. From owning a museum to managing the Swedish Nightingale Jenny Lind, Barnum certainly lived a full – if slightly sanitised – life, at least as presented through the lens of this musical.
I want to begin by saying I have huge respect for the performers involved, who give their all and are clearly exceptionally talented. Barnum is a production with some interesting ideas, but with mixed success in its execution. For
those expecting something along the lines of The Greatest Showman, it’s worth tempering expectations.
On the plus side, Lee Mead delivers a fun and energetic performance as the titular character. I particularly enjoyed his opening number, ‘There Is a Sucker Born Every Minute’, which sets the tone well. While the show still offers a somewhat softened version of Barnum’s life, it remains more grounded than the almost entirely fictional portrayal seen in The Greatest Showman.
However, much of the rest of the production feels disjointed. The transitions between different stages of Barnum’s life often seem rushed, and the pacing could use some fine-tuning to create a more engaging and cohesive narrative. The dynamic between Barnum and his wife also feels inconsistent — she undermines him one moment, forgives him the next, and is then fully supportive, which makes the emotional arc a little unclear.
Visually, there are moments that truly impress. The elephant sequence, in particular, is striking, and it’s obvious that a great deal of love and effort has gone into the production. That said, some of the staging could benefit from further tweaking to consistently match the show’s stronger highs.
Ultimately, if you enjoy the circus aesthetic and want to see a cast of highly talented performers on stage, Barnum may still be worth a watch. There will certainly be audiences who love it — just be prepared for a show with uneven storytelling alongside a few moments of spectacle.
By Dan Smith
Image provided by Palace theatre, copyright Pamela Raith, Pamela Raith Photography