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Barnum 2026 - Greasepaint and Stage Lights - Theatre Radio Show

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Barnum 2026

Barnum
Milton Keynes (UK Tour)
(Review Complete)
"A Dazzling, High-Energy Spectacle - If Light on Depth"
8th September 2026

From the moment the curtain rises, Barnum bursts forth with all the razzle-dazzle of a big top coming to life — bright, bold, and bursting with energy. This is a production that leans hard into its circus roots, and for the most part, it pulls off a genuinely spectacular evening. While it has some notable flaws in its storytelling and staging, the sheer talent on stage makes it an unmissable night out, earning it a solid four stars.


✨ Standout Performances

Matt Rawle as P.T. Barnum
Rawle is simply magnetic in the title role. He captures Barnum’s infectious charm, relentless ambition, and equal parts showman and dreamer perfectly — you completely believe he could sell anything to anyone. He brings wonderful warmth and energy to every scene, balancing the larger-than-life showmanship with quiet moments of vulnerability beautifully; his charisma alone holds the whole production together.

Monique Young as Charity Barnum
As the steady heart of the show, Young is a perfect counterbalance to Rawle’s bombast. Her voice is rich and gorgeous, and she brings such grace, intelligence, and quiet strength to Charity — you feel every bit her frustration, her love, and her unwavering belief in Barnum even at his most ridiculous. Their scenes together are some of the most tender and memorable of the whole piece.

Penny Ashmore as Jenny Lind
Ashmore commands the stage the moment she steps into it. Her operatic vocals are breathtakingly powerful — pure, soaring, and utterly captivating. She brings a quiet dignity and poise to the Swedish Nightingale, making her brief but pivotal role feel truly special and leaving a lasting impression every time she sings.

Ferguson Rattigan as General Tom Thumb
Rattigan is an absolute scene-stealer — brimming with personality, wit, and wonderful comic timing. He delivers every line with perfect flair, owns every moment he’s on stage, and brings genuine heart to the role alongside the humour. His performances are always met with huge smiles and well-earned applause.


🎪 Circus Skills & Musicians – The Heart of the Show

Where this production truly shines is its incredible array of circus arts. Acrobatics, tumbling, aerial work, juggling, and dazzling feats of balance and skill unfold across the stage — performed with such polish, daring, and professionalism that you could be watching a real top-tier circus troupe. It’s immersive, thrilling, and genuinely spectacular to behold.

Equally impressive is the live band — and what a band they are. Every musician is multi-talented, switching effortlessly between an impressive variety of instruments from brass and strings to percussion and folk accompaniment. The score sounds lush, vibrant, and endlessly energetic, driving the whole production forward with wonderful momentum.


⚠️ Where It Falls Short

That said, the production is not without its shortcomings. The stage often feels far too crowded, with actors, musicians, and circus performers all sharing the limited space at once. At times it feels cluttered and chaotic — sometimes at the expense of the action, and occasionally it feels like the circus skills and musical accompaniment are competing for attention rather than complementing one another. It’s a lot to take in, and not always in a good way.

The storyline feels surprisingly thin — it’s little more than a series of vignettes strung together, lacking real emotional depth or narrative weight. We see Barnum’s successes and setbacks, but the emotional beats never quite land with the resonance they should, leaving the central arc feeling somewhat superficial.

There’s also the issue of dated content. While the show reflects the era in which it’s set, some elements and portrayals feel decidedly old-fashioned by modern standards — at times jarringly so. It’s an unavoidable aspect of the source material, but one that does occasionally pull you out of the magic of the performance.


🎭 Final Verdict

Despite these flaws, Barnum is a wonderful, joyful night out — more like a travelling circus brought to life with songs than a traditional musical, and that’s exactly its charm. It’s colourful, loud, spectacular, and full of heart, carried by terrific performances and genuinely breath-taking circus artistry. If you’re looking for deep, layered storytelling, this might not be it — but if you want an evening of fun, flair, and old-fashioned entertainment, you’ll leave with a huge grin. A dazzling, high-spirited show that absolutely earns its four stars.
 
Reviewer: Mark Bilsby.
Photography: Pamela Raith

We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.
Greasepaint and Stage Lights

Email: musicals@btinternet.com
website: www.greasepaintandstagelights.co.uk
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