Director: Jean-Pierre Van der Spuy
Starring: Brian Conley, Linzi Hateley, Kimberly Blake, Landi Oshinowo, Mikey Jay-Heath and John Stacey
Synopsis: Come and run away to the circus with the World’s Greatest Showman for an evening of ‘humbugging’.
This is an evening full of music, acrobatics and excitement. Barnum is based on the book written by Mark Bramble about the world’s greatest showman, with lyrics and music by Michael Stewart and Cy Coleman respectively.
As you enter the theatre you are transported away to the big top, the atmosphere full of excitement as the circus comes to town. The lights and sights are tremendous with juggling and balancing acts surrounding you as the cast leap around the auditorium. You feel as if you are about to see an amazing circus show.
PT Barnum is brilliantly performed by Brian Conley as the greatest showman on earth who fills the role well, even showing off a few circus tricks. Linzi Hateley portrays Chairy Barnum the formidable wife of PT Barnum. They depict a married couple who spark off each other and love having the colour and excitement of circus life.
Barnum is very much the central character and pulls everyone’s attention towards him as a natural showman. His personality is not one that everyone will warm to, as Barnum knows that a ‘sucker is born every minute’ and willing to ‘humbug’ anyone to make a living. The flaws in his character are exposed as he meets the various dealers and acts that come and go during his circus life. His saving grace is ability to make something out of nothing as well as his loyalty and dedication to what he loves that get him through tough times.
The central two characters are off on a roller coaster of a journey ably supported by an excellent cast, including the oldest woman in the world (Landi Oshinowo), whose claim to fame is gently embellished, along with General Tom Thumb who is expertly performed by Mikey Jay-Heath. The Swedish nightingale who captures Barnums heart is elegantly portrayed by Kimberly Blake.
The thrill of the circus is maintained as you journey through PT Barnums life accompanied by an excellent sound track and choreography. The acrobatics and aerial work is breathtaking. The acts and scenes are introduced by John Stacey (Ringmaster) causing you forget that you are not actually at the circus and are watching the musical of this great entertainer’s life.
The costumes and set decoration are full of colour and transport you to the big top and show halls across the many US cities in from 1835 to 1880. The musical has been revised by Cameron Mackintosh and is a slick, foot tapping, excellent lighthearted evening’s entertainment.
Barnum maintains an octane fuelled evening of entertainment from start to finish with the skill and talent of the acts impressing you to the last. A great show for all the family, and one that the sold out Woking crowd took to their hearts.
[usr=4] Barnum is running at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking until 24th January 2015, then touring nationwide.
