Barnum – Richmond Theatre review

The Cast of Barnum UK Tour; Photograph Pamela Raith

Spectacular entertainment

The spectacular world of PT Barnum is brought to life in Richmond theatre’s presentation of the life story of the notorious 19th century American showman.

Musical theatre meets the circus in this high energy production full of movement, noise, colour and light.

The stage is constantly busy as the multi-talented company of more than 20 actor-musicians fill it with multiple simultaeneous performances: music, acrobatics, dancing, singing, juggling, fire-eating and antics as Lee Mead (Any Dream Will Do, Wicked, Legally Blonde) in the role of Phineas Taylor Barnum narrates the meteoric rise of his career.

Lee Mead as PT Barnum and Monique Young as Charity Barnum; Photograph Pamela Raith 

‘Humbug’ is Barnum’s watchword. The show charts the progress of his growing ambition from touting ‘the world’s oldest woman’ aged supposedly 160, ‘the world’s smallest man’ – General Tom Thumb – a ‘mermaid’ and a ‘bearded lady’ in the 1830s all the way to his circus partnership with James Anthony Bailey in the 1870s.

Starting with his American Museum in New York, featuring a great white whale, his ambitions expand to touring across the states of America, promoting Swedish opera star Jenny Lind, billed as ‘the Swedish nightingale’, and his foray into politics as Mayor of Boston.

Penny Ashmore as ‘The Swedish Nightingale’ Jenny Lind;  Dominique Planter a ‘The 160 year old woman’ Joice Heth; Photograph Pamela Raith 

Lee gives a barnstorming performance, as does Monique Young (Extraordinary Women, Hello Dolly, Mary Poppins, Gypsy) as his faithful wife Charity, the doughty New England partner who supported him not only emotionally but by managing the business and helping him grow it, even when he went off with the Swedish diva, before he tired of her and returned to his wife.

The first act was a bit long, I felt, maybe one too many numbers from the haughty Swedish opera singer. For all the frenetic energy and sensory extravagance, the pace of the story telling dropped a bit but picked up in act two.

The Cast of Barnum UK Tour; Photograh Pamela Raith 

Barnum runs at Richmond theatre until Saturday 27 June.

Tickets – Richmond Theatre Box Office