REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
BARNUM
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend 30 June – 4 July 2026
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
BARNUM
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend 30 June – 4 July 2026
As the curtain rises for the Overture of Barnum, the Circus Musical, the beautifully designed set immediately transports you into the world of a nineteenth-century theatre and circus, setting the tone for a production that is big on detail and spectacle throughout.
Based on the life of legendary American showman P.T. Barnum (Lee Mead), the musical charts his extraordinary rise from street vendor to the world’s greatest impresario. Along the way he discovers fame, fortune and worldwide acclaim, but his relentless pursuit of the next big attraction comes at a personal cost, straining his relationship with his loyal wife, Charity, while he becomes captivated by the internationally renowned Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind. It is a story about ambition, love, celebrity and the fine line between illusion and reality.
Director Jonathan O’Boyle has certainly embraced the theatricality of the piece, delivering a production that rarely stands still. The production values are impressive with a set that effortlessly transforms the Cliffs Pavilion stage into Barnum’s world.
The talented ensemble take on many roles, seamlessly blending breathtaking trapeze work, see-saw acrobatics, tumbling, lifts and gravity-defying somersaults into the action.
The cast also demonstrate remarkable versatility performing as actor-musicians throughout the show. With over 150 instruments played across the company during the performance, it’s an extraordinary achievement that adds another layer to the production’s uniqueness. In performing terms, we’ve literally gone from triple threat (acting, singing, dancing) to quadruple threat (add on playing an instrument) and now we have the quintuple option of adding circus skills to the threat factor. Anyone wanting to be a performer these days certainly has their work cut out!
At this performance, Laura Sillett stepped into the role of the Ringmaster and did a terrific job, guiding the audience through the evening with charismatic authority and gusto.
Vocally, this production is consistently impressive. Penny Ashmore is simply superb as Jenny Lind, with her soaring soprano vocals effortlessly and spine-tingly filling the theatre. She also plays the harp at the same time and almost steals the show (as well as Barnum) with her hauntingly beautiful singing.
Dominique Planter is also impressive across her various roles as Joice Heth, Blues Singer and in the ensemble, delivering knock out vocals throughout but not least in Thank God I’m Old as Joice Heth.
There are probably more songs you know in this show than you realise, with Mead kicking off with There is A Sucker Born Every Minute and followed with The Colours of My Life and, of course, Come Follow the Band.
Star of the show, Lee Mead, makes for an engaging Barnum, bringing plenty of charm and natural likeability to the role. He captures the optimism and showmanship of the famous entrepreneur well, as he humbugs and flimflams his way to success, despite the protestations of his loyal wife, Charity.
With so much of the storyline moving at pace, it does sometimes feel as though the emotional complexity of the circus entrepreneur never quite hits as it should. Likewise, Monique Young’s portrayal of Charity often comes across as being rather too brittle and demanding with rare moments of softness, so when Barnum’s marriage begins to unravel, it feels difficult to fully invest or feel the heartbreak that should sit at the centre of the story.
This production of Barnum dazzles with its visuals, magic tricks, music and spectacular circus sequences, but it doesn’t always find enough emotional depth in the narrative to balance the spectacle; however, this is perhaps the production’s only real weakness as there is so much to admire here with its impressive choreography from Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, thrilling circus artistry and first-class musicianship; the combination of talented performers, authentic staging and outstanding vocals makes for a truly entertaining evening.
Of course, it’s also a pleasure to see Southend’s very own Lee Mead return to the Cliffs Pavilion in such an iconic role. There’s no doubting Mead’s charisma or stage presence, and he leads a hugely talented company with confidence. He also nails the tightrope walk which Brian Conley, back in 2014 when this production was last performed at the Cliffs Pavilion, took quite a few attempts at before finally crossing over - or is that a magic trick too or was he just lucky on opening night? You’ll have to go and find out for yourselves.
It may not tug at the heartstrings as much as it dazzles the eye, but this production of Barnum, the Circus Musical remains a thoroughly entertaining spectacle that leaves audiences with plenty to admire long after the final curtain falls.
Based on the life of legendary American showman P.T. Barnum (Lee Mead), the musical charts his extraordinary rise from street vendor to the world’s greatest impresario. Along the way he discovers fame, fortune and worldwide acclaim, but his relentless pursuit of the next big attraction comes at a personal cost, straining his relationship with his loyal wife, Charity, while he becomes captivated by the internationally renowned Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind. It is a story about ambition, love, celebrity and the fine line between illusion and reality.
Director Jonathan O’Boyle has certainly embraced the theatricality of the piece, delivering a production that rarely stands still. The production values are impressive with a set that effortlessly transforms the Cliffs Pavilion stage into Barnum’s world.
The talented ensemble take on many roles, seamlessly blending breathtaking trapeze work, see-saw acrobatics, tumbling, lifts and gravity-defying somersaults into the action.
The cast also demonstrate remarkable versatility performing as actor-musicians throughout the show. With over 150 instruments played across the company during the performance, it’s an extraordinary achievement that adds another layer to the production’s uniqueness. In performing terms, we’ve literally gone from triple threat (acting, singing, dancing) to quadruple threat (add on playing an instrument) and now we have the quintuple option of adding circus skills to the threat factor. Anyone wanting to be a performer these days certainly has their work cut out!
At this performance, Laura Sillett stepped into the role of the Ringmaster and did a terrific job, guiding the audience through the evening with charismatic authority and gusto.
Vocally, this production is consistently impressive. Penny Ashmore is simply superb as Jenny Lind, with her soaring soprano vocals effortlessly and spine-tingly filling the theatre. She also plays the harp at the same time and almost steals the show (as well as Barnum) with her hauntingly beautiful singing.
Dominique Planter is also impressive across her various roles as Joice Heth, Blues Singer and in the ensemble, delivering knock out vocals throughout but not least in Thank God I’m Old as Joice Heth.
There are probably more songs you know in this show than you realise, with Mead kicking off with There is A Sucker Born Every Minute and followed with The Colours of My Life and, of course, Come Follow the Band.
Star of the show, Lee Mead, makes for an engaging Barnum, bringing plenty of charm and natural likeability to the role. He captures the optimism and showmanship of the famous entrepreneur well, as he humbugs and flimflams his way to success, despite the protestations of his loyal wife, Charity.
With so much of the storyline moving at pace, it does sometimes feel as though the emotional complexity of the circus entrepreneur never quite hits as it should. Likewise, Monique Young’s portrayal of Charity often comes across as being rather too brittle and demanding with rare moments of softness, so when Barnum’s marriage begins to unravel, it feels difficult to fully invest or feel the heartbreak that should sit at the centre of the story.
This production of Barnum dazzles with its visuals, magic tricks, music and spectacular circus sequences, but it doesn’t always find enough emotional depth in the narrative to balance the spectacle; however, this is perhaps the production’s only real weakness as there is so much to admire here with its impressive choreography from Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, thrilling circus artistry and first-class musicianship; the combination of talented performers, authentic staging and outstanding vocals makes for a truly entertaining evening.
Of course, it’s also a pleasure to see Southend’s very own Lee Mead return to the Cliffs Pavilion in such an iconic role. There’s no doubting Mead’s charisma or stage presence, and he leads a hugely talented company with confidence. He also nails the tightrope walk which Brian Conley, back in 2014 when this production was last performed at the Cliffs Pavilion, took quite a few attempts at before finally crossing over - or is that a magic trick too or was he just lucky on opening night? You’ll have to go and find out for yourselves.
It may not tug at the heartstrings as much as it dazzles the eye, but this production of Barnum, the Circus Musical remains a thoroughly entertaining spectacle that leaves audiences with plenty to admire long after the final curtain falls.
Bill Kenwright Ltd is delighted to announce that it will present Barnum, the classic Broadway musical by Cy Coleman (music), Michael Stewart (lyrics) and Mark Bramble (book) that celebrates the life of the world’s greatest showman, P.T. Barnum. Originally produced at the Watermill Theatre, this major new touring production will open at Theatre Royal Windsor on Tuesday 3 February 2026 (previews from Friday 30 January).
West End favourite, TV star and Essex lad Lee Mead will take centre stage as the legendary P.T. Barnum. Lee is best known for his breakout win on Any Dream Will Do and acclaimed performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde.
The production will also be extending into the autumn of next year, with Matt Rawle (Cabaret; Evita; Les Misérables) reprising his critically acclaimed performance as P.T Barnum, with autumn dates starting at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 12 August.
Starring alongside Lee are Monique Young (Mary Poppins) as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore (Dr Strangelove) as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter (The Lion King) as Joice Heth, and Fergus Rattigan (The Wizard of Oz) as General Tom Thumb.
They are joined by Elena Bluck, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Eamonn Cox, James Gill, Jessica Jolleys, Kevin Oliver Jones, Emma Jane Morton, Sophie Precious Muringu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Emily Odunsi, André Rodrigues, Ben Scott, Laura Sillett, Tom Sowinski, Tom Sterling and Niki Tsonopoulou.
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 twist and turn as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
This spectacular production will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!
Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. The show features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
This musical classic first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage. And now Lee Mead and Matt Rawle step into his shoes and onto the tightrope!
The production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Picture You Dead; The Last Five Years) and choreographed by Oti Mabuse (Strictly Come Dancing). The creative team also includes George Dyer (Arranger, Orchestrator & Musical Supervisor), Lee Newby (Set & Costume Designer), Matt Nicholson (Co-Choreographer), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer), Tom Marshall (Sound Designer), Amy Panter (Circus Director), Kevin Oliver Jones (Musical Director), Jess Ellen Knight (Associate Director), Iona Luvsandorj and Sabrina Joshua (Circus Instructors), Zippos Circus and The National Centre for Circus Arts (Circus Consultants), Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller for Significant Object (Puppet Designers) and Helen Foan for Significant Object (Puppetry Director).
Barnum was originally produced on the Broadway stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfield in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld.
West End favourite, TV star and Essex lad Lee Mead will take centre stage as the legendary P.T. Barnum. Lee is best known for his breakout win on Any Dream Will Do and acclaimed performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde.
The production will also be extending into the autumn of next year, with Matt Rawle (Cabaret; Evita; Les Misérables) reprising his critically acclaimed performance as P.T Barnum, with autumn dates starting at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 12 August.
Starring alongside Lee are Monique Young (Mary Poppins) as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore (Dr Strangelove) as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter (The Lion King) as Joice Heth, and Fergus Rattigan (The Wizard of Oz) as General Tom Thumb.
They are joined by Elena Bluck, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Eamonn Cox, James Gill, Jessica Jolleys, Kevin Oliver Jones, Emma Jane Morton, Sophie Precious Muringu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Emily Odunsi, André Rodrigues, Ben Scott, Laura Sillett, Tom Sowinski, Tom Sterling and Niki Tsonopoulou.
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 twist and turn as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
This spectacular production will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!
Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. The show features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
This musical classic first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage. And now Lee Mead and Matt Rawle step into his shoes and onto the tightrope!
The production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Picture You Dead; The Last Five Years) and choreographed by Oti Mabuse (Strictly Come Dancing). The creative team also includes George Dyer (Arranger, Orchestrator & Musical Supervisor), Lee Newby (Set & Costume Designer), Matt Nicholson (Co-Choreographer), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer), Tom Marshall (Sound Designer), Amy Panter (Circus Director), Kevin Oliver Jones (Musical Director), Jess Ellen Knight (Associate Director), Iona Luvsandorj and Sabrina Joshua (Circus Instructors), Zippos Circus and The National Centre for Circus Arts (Circus Consultants), Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller for Significant Object (Puppet Designers) and Helen Foan for Significant Object (Puppetry Director).
Barnum was originally produced on the Broadway stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfield in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld.
Interview with Lee Mead
When Lee Mead was around 13 or 14 he appeared in a school production of Barnum in his home town of Southend-on-Sea as the show-hosting Ringmaster and recalls: "I had such a brilliant time and I thought the story and the characters were wonderful. And it had all these fantastic songs, like Come Follow the Band, The Colours of My Life and There is a Sucker Born Ev'ry Minute."
Lee's friend Chris was cast in the lead role. "And he was a great Barnum," Mead smiles, "but I remember thinking 'It would be lovely to play that part one day." Now at age 44, his wish has finally come true as he headlines a lavish new UK tour of the classic musical.
With music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble, Barnum - The Circus Musical is about legendary American showman P.T. Barnum, who revolutionised entertainment in the 1800s through the Barnum & Bailey Circus and his sensational The Greatest Show on Earth.
The life of the marketing genius and master of spectacle premiered as a musical on Broadway in 1980 and was a huge hit the following year when Michael Crawford took the lead at the London Palladium ahead of a UK tour.
It has been revived numerous times since, both here and around the world, and as he steps into the ring for the 2026 tour Lee gushes: "It's an absolute classic and I can't quite believe I now get to play Barnum some 30 years after that school production. I think I must have somehow manifested it."
Barnum is directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (The Last Five Years), choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing's Oti Mabuse and features more than 20 actor-musicians alongside acrobats and international circus acts.
Getting to star in it isn't just a dream come true for the Any Dream Will Do talent show winner, he also sees it as a homage to his granddad Bert and his grandma Lil. They didn't have much money, so a trip to the theatre was very rare for them. "But they saved up for a year and a half to see Barnum at the London Palladium and they loved it. It stayed with them their whole lives. Sadly they're no longer with us, but I know they would have been so proud to see me in it. Every performance is going to be for them."
Since coming to fame in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2007 after he won the public vote on the BBC talent show, Mead has starred in Wicked, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chicago and Sister Act, to name just a few of his many credits. "But this is definitely my most challenging role," he admits. "It's one of those rare roles for a leading man. It's an enormous part, with huge monologues and so many songs, and I don't think I leave the stage for two hours, apart from the interval of course."
Then there's the tightrope walking, which Lee has trained intensely for over several months. "It's the kind of thing you learn at 24, not 44," he laughs, "so I've had to get myself fit and put in the work. The rope is about 7ft off the ground and, although I trained with a harness on, there's no harness during the show itself. You have to use your whole body, your whole core and every ounce of your focus and energy to get across that wire, but I like a challenge."
Does he also get to play an instrument in the show? Lee grins. "I don't, no. I already have enough to do with the acting, singing, dancing and tightrope walking!"
P.T. Barnum was played by Hugh Jackman in the big screen blockbuster The Greatest Showman and, as in the film, the musical looks at the real man behind the on-stage persona. He had a wife named Charity but also became infatuated with Swedish singer Jenny Lind. "So he's a flawed character, as most human beings are," Mead muses. "As an actor it's interesting to explore that side of him alongside all the spectacle. It makes for great drama."
Of researching the role, Lee notes: "It was interesting to learn about Barnum's tenacity and his drive, which I think you have to have to be as successful as he was. At times he kind of put his wife to one side, even though she was so supportive and loving, so I guess you could say that he was very selfish. But he wanted the world to see all these amazing acts that he brought together, like the oldest woman in the world Joice Heth and General Tom Thumb. It was his passion."
Asked if he has a favourite number in the show, he picks The Colours of My Life "because the melody is beautiful and it's about him trying to explain to Charity why he is the way he is, with all the different colours to him as a person and why he wants to light people up, entertain them and make them happy".
Lee has been entertaining people himself since he did school productions like Barnum and Grease and enjoyed the camaraderie and losing himself in different characters. "Then as time went on I discovered I had a bit of a talent for it and I worked really hard, trying to get better and better."
He attended performing arts college, performed on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry and at Bridlington's Spa Theatre, played Levi and the Pharaoh in a touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was in the ensemble in Phantom of the Opera in the West End.
Any Dream Will Do launched Mead to stardom and he hasn't stopped working since. "It was a bit of a blur, although I remember certain moments in detail, so it was very surreal," he says about competing on the show in front of a panel that included Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright, winning the public vote and getting to play the lead at London's Adelphi Theatre.
"You never think anything like that would ever happen to you, and the TV show was seen by around 13 million viewers every week. Even now, 18 years later, I get people stopping me in the street or at the supermarket and saying that they voted for me. I feel very blessed, because it opened up all the parts that have come my way since."
His subsequent career highlights include performing at the Palladium on his 40th birthday with a full orchestra as he followed in the footsteps of legends like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Singing in front of the Queen and the Royal Family at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019 is way up there too, along with getting to play Caracticus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. "I remember seeing it as a teenager, with Michael Ball in the lead," he says, "and thinking 'I'm going to play that role one day'. Again, as with Barnum, I must have manifested it somehow."
His TV work includes stints as Nurse Lofty Chiltern on Casualty and Holby City, but it's his appearance as himself on Motherland that gets the most response from the public. He laughs. "I played Lofty for five years in total but I've had more people stop me and ask about Motherland, even though I was only in one episode. That's the one thing in my career that I haven't done yet that I would love to do - to have a recurring role in a sitcom."
For now, though, he's busy with Barnum and is looking forward to taking it around the country. As a father to Betsy, 14, and soon-to-be stepfather to his fiancéé Issy's son Alfie, 12, he admits: "Being away from home can be hard, but Issy and the kids will be coming along to the show a few times. Plus I get to be in one of the greatest, most iconic musicals ever. I'm still in shock that I've landed the part, to be honest, and I can't wait to take it around the country and to see the smiles on the audience's faces."
Lee's friend Chris was cast in the lead role. "And he was a great Barnum," Mead smiles, "but I remember thinking 'It would be lovely to play that part one day." Now at age 44, his wish has finally come true as he headlines a lavish new UK tour of the classic musical.
With music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble, Barnum - The Circus Musical is about legendary American showman P.T. Barnum, who revolutionised entertainment in the 1800s through the Barnum & Bailey Circus and his sensational The Greatest Show on Earth.
The life of the marketing genius and master of spectacle premiered as a musical on Broadway in 1980 and was a huge hit the following year when Michael Crawford took the lead at the London Palladium ahead of a UK tour.
It has been revived numerous times since, both here and around the world, and as he steps into the ring for the 2026 tour Lee gushes: "It's an absolute classic and I can't quite believe I now get to play Barnum some 30 years after that school production. I think I must have somehow manifested it."
Barnum is directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (The Last Five Years), choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing's Oti Mabuse and features more than 20 actor-musicians alongside acrobats and international circus acts.
Getting to star in it isn't just a dream come true for the Any Dream Will Do talent show winner, he also sees it as a homage to his granddad Bert and his grandma Lil. They didn't have much money, so a trip to the theatre was very rare for them. "But they saved up for a year and a half to see Barnum at the London Palladium and they loved it. It stayed with them their whole lives. Sadly they're no longer with us, but I know they would have been so proud to see me in it. Every performance is going to be for them."
Since coming to fame in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2007 after he won the public vote on the BBC talent show, Mead has starred in Wicked, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chicago and Sister Act, to name just a few of his many credits. "But this is definitely my most challenging role," he admits. "It's one of those rare roles for a leading man. It's an enormous part, with huge monologues and so many songs, and I don't think I leave the stage for two hours, apart from the interval of course."
Then there's the tightrope walking, which Lee has trained intensely for over several months. "It's the kind of thing you learn at 24, not 44," he laughs, "so I've had to get myself fit and put in the work. The rope is about 7ft off the ground and, although I trained with a harness on, there's no harness during the show itself. You have to use your whole body, your whole core and every ounce of your focus and energy to get across that wire, but I like a challenge."
Does he also get to play an instrument in the show? Lee grins. "I don't, no. I already have enough to do with the acting, singing, dancing and tightrope walking!"
P.T. Barnum was played by Hugh Jackman in the big screen blockbuster The Greatest Showman and, as in the film, the musical looks at the real man behind the on-stage persona. He had a wife named Charity but also became infatuated with Swedish singer Jenny Lind. "So he's a flawed character, as most human beings are," Mead muses. "As an actor it's interesting to explore that side of him alongside all the spectacle. It makes for great drama."
Of researching the role, Lee notes: "It was interesting to learn about Barnum's tenacity and his drive, which I think you have to have to be as successful as he was. At times he kind of put his wife to one side, even though she was so supportive and loving, so I guess you could say that he was very selfish. But he wanted the world to see all these amazing acts that he brought together, like the oldest woman in the world Joice Heth and General Tom Thumb. It was his passion."
Asked if he has a favourite number in the show, he picks The Colours of My Life "because the melody is beautiful and it's about him trying to explain to Charity why he is the way he is, with all the different colours to him as a person and why he wants to light people up, entertain them and make them happy".
Lee has been entertaining people himself since he did school productions like Barnum and Grease and enjoyed the camaraderie and losing himself in different characters. "Then as time went on I discovered I had a bit of a talent for it and I worked really hard, trying to get better and better."
He attended performing arts college, performed on the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry and at Bridlington's Spa Theatre, played Levi and the Pharaoh in a touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was in the ensemble in Phantom of the Opera in the West End.
Any Dream Will Do launched Mead to stardom and he hasn't stopped working since. "It was a bit of a blur, although I remember certain moments in detail, so it was very surreal," he says about competing on the show in front of a panel that included Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright, winning the public vote and getting to play the lead at London's Adelphi Theatre.
"You never think anything like that would ever happen to you, and the TV show was seen by around 13 million viewers every week. Even now, 18 years later, I get people stopping me in the street or at the supermarket and saying that they voted for me. I feel very blessed, because it opened up all the parts that have come my way since."
His subsequent career highlights include performing at the Palladium on his 40th birthday with a full orchestra as he followed in the footsteps of legends like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Singing in front of the Queen and the Royal Family at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019 is way up there too, along with getting to play Caracticus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. "I remember seeing it as a teenager, with Michael Ball in the lead," he says, "and thinking 'I'm going to play that role one day'. Again, as with Barnum, I must have manifested it somehow."
His TV work includes stints as Nurse Lofty Chiltern on Casualty and Holby City, but it's his appearance as himself on Motherland that gets the most response from the public. He laughs. "I played Lofty for five years in total but I've had more people stop me and ask about Motherland, even though I was only in one episode. That's the one thing in my career that I haven't done yet that I would love to do - to have a recurring role in a sitcom."
For now, though, he's busy with Barnum and is looking forward to taking it around the country. As a father to Betsy, 14, and soon-to-be stepfather to his fiancéé Issy's son Alfie, 12, he admits: "Being away from home can be hard, but Issy and the kids will be coming along to the show a few times. Plus I get to be in one of the greatest, most iconic musicals ever. I'm still in shock that I've landed the part, to be honest, and I can't wait to take it around the country and to see the smiles on the audience's faces."
Bill Kenwright Ltd presents The Watermill Theatre production of
BARNUM
MUSIC BY CY COLEMAN
LYRICS BY MICHAEL STEWART
BOOK BY MARK BRAMBLE
Director Jonathan O’Boyle
Choreographer Oti Mabuse
Arranger, Orchestrator & Musical Supervisor George Dyer
Set & Costume Designer Lee Newby
Co-Choreographer Matt Nicholson
Lighting Designer Jai Morjaria
Sound Designer Tom Marshall
Circus Director Amy Panter
Musical Director Kevin Oliver Jones
Circus Instructors Iona Luvsandorj & Sabrina Joshua
Circus Consultants Zippos Circus & The National Centre for Circus Arts
Puppet Designers Meryvn Millar & Tracy Walker for Significant Object
Puppetry Director Helen Foan for Significant Object
Website: www.kenwright.com
30 Jun – 4 Jul Southend Cliffs Pavilion
BARNUM
MUSIC BY CY COLEMAN
LYRICS BY MICHAEL STEWART
BOOK BY MARK BRAMBLE
Director Jonathan O’Boyle
Choreographer Oti Mabuse
Arranger, Orchestrator & Musical Supervisor George Dyer
Set & Costume Designer Lee Newby
Co-Choreographer Matt Nicholson
Lighting Designer Jai Morjaria
Sound Designer Tom Marshall
Circus Director Amy Panter
Musical Director Kevin Oliver Jones
Circus Instructors Iona Luvsandorj & Sabrina Joshua
Circus Consultants Zippos Circus & The National Centre for Circus Arts
Puppet Designers Meryvn Millar & Tracy Walker for Significant Object
Puppetry Director Helen Foan for Significant Object
Website: www.kenwright.com
30 Jun – 4 Jul Southend Cliffs Pavilion