Barnum - New Wimbledon Theatre

It is understandable why the life of P.T. Barnum is a source of fascination and fame (or, perhaps, infamy). Filled with love, heartbreak, controversy, glitz and glamour, as well as the unusual and the ‘odd’, Barnum - the showman and curator of embellished ‘human curiosities’ - made a name for himself in business, entertainment and politics. It seems, however, that 21st century London has taken a particular interest into P.T.’s life - with ‘Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular’ currently on at the Empress Museum, and the highly anticipated ‘The Greatest Showman’ musical coming to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2027. Both take inspiration from the film of the same name, and so does ‘Barnum. The Circus Musical’ - an addition to the ‘showman’ mix currently playing at New Wimbledon Theatre as part of a UK Tour. 

While ‘Barnum. The Circus Musical’ is for sure a spectacle, with amazing circus acts, inspiring athleticism, magnetic artistry of the performers, as well as joyful spirit of the ensemble, multiple loose ends and prioritisation of circus elements result in underdeveloped storyline and a need for greater emotional connection between characters. Matt Rawle, playing the titular role of Barnum, embodies the entrepreneur really well - from his way of smug and self-assured talking, to the flamboyant mannerisms. Unfortunately, the reoccurring difficulty to understand the spoken words and lyrics of songs, particularly in the Museum Song, lead to distancing from the action on stage. Nevertheless, a great respect to Rawle and all actors who, despite being challenged with the speed and density of lyrics in this particular number, perform them with confidence and skill - a feat to be acknowledged. Monique Young as Charity Barnum is charming and introduces a calming presence on stage, while at the same time showing versatility through a portrayal of an elderly woman towards the beginning of the show. Penny Ashmore as the Swedish nightingale soprano Jenny Lindt graces the audience with her angelic voice in ‘Love Makes Such Fools of Us All’, and Dominique Planter entertains and sets the tone for the show as 160-year-old Joice Heth in ‘Thank God I’m Old’.  

Jonathan O’Boyle smoothly navigates the challenge of safely directing a large ensemble and circus acts on stage. Nevertheless, at times the multitude of elements occurring simultaneously makes it difficult to know what to direct attention to. Even though the skill of the musicians is commendable and music by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Michael Stewart presents some memorable tunes, such as ‘The Colours of My Life’, the constant music of the circus can lead to overwhelm and oversaturation. Of course ‘Barnum. The Circus Musical’, as the name suggests, is itself centred around circus art. However, the show would not lose its value with more musical variety or, preferably, moments of stillness and silence - if anything, such would allow for a clearer message and purpose of the production, as well as greater impact of moments of pure emotional connection. One of the more somber and quieter scenes, Charity’s passing, for instance, was overshadowed by a group of jugglers emerging behind the Barnum couple, which unfortunately felt forced in that very moment. Nevertheless, a movement highlight of the production is the smooth and organic integration of circus skills during an athletic scene change to a restaurant setting. Choreography by Oti Mabuse, co-choreographed by Matt Nicholson, maintains the energetic nature of the production and the upbeat atmosphere of the circus, with the majority of songs ending with an end-of-number show pose - an element which would perhaps benefit from slight reduction in number. 

The book by Mark Bramble guides the audiences through Barnum’s life - from initial steps into the world of circus, museum curation and the game of hoaxes, to his pursuit of politics and governance. Nevertheless, at times the narrative moves too quickly, glancing over details and moments of reflection - for instance upon learning about the museum fire, Barnum surprisingly rapidly recovers from the setback and shifts focus to going beyond the ‘local’, planning to continue his showmanship on a national level. Additionally, it could be thought that Barnum is in competition with Ebenezer Scrooge, with the word ‘humbug’ being used a great many of times throughout the production. The book does, however, provide a comprehensive overview of Barnum’s character, with his more and less glamorous sides having their own dedicated spotlight.

It has to once again be highlighted that the skill of the whole cast is truly commendable. With this reviewer being particularly keen on actor-musician shows, it was a treat to witness the use of over 150 instruments throughout the production. The talented artists often play several instruments during one musical number or playfully complement each other, with particular highlight being the simultaneous piano playing by three performers. The array of circus acts, from aerial hoops and aerial straps to wheels is awe-inducing and often causing anxious anticipation - with particular mention to the skilful teeterboard act, one of the most gripping moments of the show. Equally engaging is Matt Rawle’s famous tightrope walk, unsupported and fantastically executed in between a not-so-easy vocal engagement. 

Overall, ‘Barnum. The Circus Musical’ is a source of family entertainment and a great spectacle, supported by the standing ovation given by several audience members during the performance itself. Despite the production’s limitations and areas for improvement, it finds its treasure in the truly multi-talented performers, who carry joyful and radiant energy throughout the whole duration of this demanding show.

Production Value: 60%

Value for Money: 60%

Personal Enjoyment: 60%

Overall Score: 60% - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3*)

(AD | Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)

Show Information

Venue: New Wimbledon Theatre, London

Playing Until: 3rd October 2026 - before moving on to another venue

Run Time: Approximately 2h10 - with an interval of 20 minutes

Tickets can be purchased from this link.