BARNUM
Cambridge Arts Theatre
★★★★
“bursts with colour, energy and theatrical magic”
Follow that band to the Cambridge Arts Centre for ‘Barnum: The Circus Musical’ on its UK tour. Bursting with energy, circus spectacle and infectious charm, its more layered take on P.T. Barnum adds welcome depth to an already entertaining show.
Young Barnum is determined to make his mark, peddling a little “humbug” and a lot of ambition. While devoted wife Charity tries to keep him grounded, Barnum never stops reaching skyward – though what will be waiting when he gets there?
Mark Bramble’s book has a welcome edge, balancing showmanship with cynicism of Barnum’s ‘talents’. While it glosses over the darker realities – for example, Joyce Heth was a real enslaved African-American woman whose exploitation continued after her death – and leans into a fictional romance with Jenny Lind, this version has more bite than you might expect from a circus musical.
Cy Coleman’s toe-tapping score and Michael Stewart’s witty lyrics – vividly arranged, orchestrated and supervised by George Dyer – capture the spirit of classic Americana. From the breathless patter of ‘Museum Song’, to crowd-pleasers like ‘One Brick at a Time’, ‘Come Follow the Band’ and ‘Join the Circus’, the music has a gloriously uplifting energy – that is, until Jenny Lind’s haunting ‘Love Makes Such Fools of Us All’, filled with chromatic contrast and beauty. Musical director Ben Scott and deputy Tom Sowinski ensure the onstage orchestra delivers a vibrant, energetic sound that’s guaranteed to get toes tapping.
Jonathan O’Boyle’s inventive staging transforms the theatre into a bustling circus tent, drawing the audience straight into Barnum’s world. There’s no shortage of wow factor, with Amy Panter’s expertly choreographed circus acts delivering one visual thrill after another. Though the sheer abundance of activity can sometimes feel a little overstimulating and threatens to dilute the emotional arc, the production’s sense of wonder rarely falters. And the cherry on this jam-packed cake is the tight rope walk, completed by Barnum himself!
Oti Mabuse’s thrilling choreography, co-created with Matt Nicholson, is a real highlight. Bold, precise and packed with energy, it gives the production a welcome freshness without losing its old-school charm.
Lee Newby’s vibrant set and costume designs lean beautifully into the show’s colourful metaphors, especially the monochrome sequence bursting back into glorious technicolour. Jai Morjaria’s lighting deftly guides us through Barnum’s public persona and private reflections, while Tom Marshall’s sound design lands with impact. Adding an extra touch of theatrical magic, Significant Object’s puppet team and director Helen Foan bring Jumbo the elephant charmingly to life, though some extra height would make this giant even more impressive.
Matt Rawle brings plenty of warmth and charm to Barnum, backed by strong vocals and an impressive tightrope walk. If Rawle occasionally feels a touch understated against the production’s constant fizz, his easy charisma keeps him centre stage. Monique Young shines as Charity, delivering powerful vocals and dance work. Penny Ashmore is a standout as Jenny Lind, combining soaring soprano vocals with harp playing and pointe work to captivating effect. Dominique Planter brings warmth, wit and richness to Joyce. However, the ensemble truly deserves tonight’s ovation, not only singing, dancing and acting but playing instruments and nailing the acrobatics to boot! The company’s incredible versatility is dazzling.
‘Barnum: The Circus Musical’ bursts with colour, energy and theatrical magic. A few tweaks would elevate it further, but the extraordinarily talented cast makes it an irresistible night at the theatre.
BARNUM
Cambridge Arts Theatre then UK tour continues
Reviewed on 18th August 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Pamela Raith
