Barnum, with a book by Mark Bramble, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and music by Cy Coleman, premiered on Broadway in 1980 and followed in the West End just a year later. At the helm for these two productions were two huge names in the entertainment business: Jim Dale on Broadway and Michael Crawford in the West End. It needed, of course, big names to fill the shoes of the legendary P. T. Barnum, whose tale is told in this now-fondly remembered musical. Filling these boots in this new production, now pitched at Milton Keynes Theatre, is Matt Rawle, a prolific theatre performer himself, but can he, and this production, live up to the iconic greatest showman?
“Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds”, the publicity for the show announces, and this new production of the now-classic Barnum - The Circus Musical mostly ticks these boxes.
Rawle is a captivating and strong presence as the lead, bringing an infectious charm to the proceedings, everything you could imagine the original did. A twinkle in the eye and a cheeky grin, Rawle holds the stage and show together with skill. His ability to craft the character seems effortless, and his vocal skills are top class. He also performs the now-legendary highwire scene with skill and no compromise. A fabulous performance.
Alongside him is a wonderfully charming performance from Monique Young as Charity Barnum. A brilliant, sweet but strong character, Young also delivers a stunning vocal performance in her solo's and duets with Rawle. They are particularly fabulous together in I Like Your Style.
Penny Ashmore delivers a fabulous performance as Swedish opera legend Jenny Lind, bringing a characterful turn to the show and a fantastic vocal performance. Fergus Rattigan is a fun and suitably diminutive General Tom Thumb, who puts plenty of energy into his solo
Bigger Isn't Better. Another highlight is Dominique Planter's amusing performance of
Thank God I'm Old as the “160-year-old woman” Joice Heth.
However, the whole ensemble is fabulous, with performers who do far more than any quadruple threat, extend their skills far beyond what's needed in other productions, and become circus performers in their own right. Throughout Barnum, you will witness acrobatics, juggling, aerial skills and some fabulous, but brief puppetry with the appearance of a legendary elephant.
Jonathan O’Boyle directs with immense pace, never allowing the show to slow, even in the briefer, subtler scenes featuring the Barnums. Much of the energy also comes from the pacy choreography by Oti Mabuse and Matt Nicholson, which constantly puts the cast through their paces, while Amy Panter’s circus direction brings that requisite skill to the stage.
The set and costumes from Lee Newby create everything you could imagine from a theatre-staged circus act, and George Dyer’s musical arrangements, brought to the stage by musical Ben Scott and the cast onstage, create a jolly, bouncy musical spectacle. Musical highlights include There Is a Sucker Born Every Minute and perhaps the best-known song from the show, Come Follow the Band, which opens the second act in true style.
Barnum, the original tale of the greatest showman, is in most ways far better than that hugely popular show
The Greatest Showman.
Barnum could best be described as a more cerebral version of P. T. Barnum’s story, although it paints him in a mostly pleasant way. For those who are not a fan of Hugh Jackman’s version of the story, do not be put off by this, as it is a very different take altogether. For those who are fans of that show,
Barnum brings more to the telling of Phineas Taylor Barnum’s life and is well worth a trip to the circus.
Barnum: The greatest show of The Greatest Showman's life.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance reviewed: Tuesday 8th September 2026 at the Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes.
Barnum runs at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday, 12th September 2026, before continuing its tour.
Photographs: Pamela Raith Photography
