Barnum
Rating: ★★★
Venue: New Victoria Theatre, Woking

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.

This spectacular new staging will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!

Roll up, roll up... Barnum the Circus Musical has arrived in Woking, directed by Jonathan O'Boyle. The big question is, following the fairly recent success on stage and screen of The Greatest Showman, does the world need another story about PT Barnum? 

Lee Mead leads the way in this production as the main man himself, delivering great vocals and the charm and charisma that is now synonymous with PT Barnum. His wife Charity is played by the delightful Monique Young, keeping her husband in check and providing a sweetness to balance Barnum's out-there ideas. Despite both having individual strengths, their chemistry isn't always convincing.

Visually, Barnum is a spectacle, with stunning set design by Lee Newby transforming the theatre into a big top full of lights and sparkle. There's always plenty to look at and admire among a very talented cast of impressive circus performers. Directed by Amy Panter, they certainly deliver some 'wow' moments to watch through your hands, and perform Oti Mabuse's (of Strictly fame) choreography with ease. Lee Mead himself even throws his top hat into the ring with an impressive heart-in-your-mouth tightrope moment towards the end of act one. 

It is sadly Mark Bramble's book and Cy Coleman's music that fall short here, as the story is not particularly compelling and the songs blend largely into one, with none being truly memorable once the curtain comes down. 

The struggle Barnum really battles with in parts is the inevitable comparisons with The Greatest Showman. The original 1980 Barnum musical has almost 40 years on the 2017 Disney movie, and it shows, as the book feels dated compared to the cohesion and slick narrative of The Greatest Showman. 

This is an enjoyable production nonetheless, but it falls somewhat flat in The Greatest Showman's shadow. So does the world need another story about PT Barnum? Sadly perhaps not…