PHOTOS! First look at UK revival of Barnum musical

The Watermill Theatre is staging a sensational new production of the award-winning musical Barnum.

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Running from 2 July until 8 September, this summer extravaganza promises to dazzle and delight audiences.

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with choreography by the renowned Oti Mabuse, Barnum features music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and a book by Mark Bramble. The show boasts a unique ensemble cast of actor-musicians and circus performers, bringing the magic of Barnum’s circus to life in an unforgettable way.

Leading the cast is Matt Rawle, known for his roles in Father Brown and Evita, as the titular P.T. Barnum. Joining him is Monique Young as Charity Barnum, fresh from her performances in Sondheim’s Old Friends and Mary Poppins. Penny Ashmore takes on the role of Jenny Lind.

Other cast members include Fergus Rattigan as General Tom Thumb, Tania Mathurin as Joice Heth, Josh Barnett as James Bailey, and Tom Sterling as Edgar Templeton. Returning to the Watermill Theatre are Emma Jane Morton and Tom Sowinski, alongside newcomers Jessica Jolleys, Charis Alexandra, and Elena Bluck, making her professional debut.

The ensemble is rounded out by onstage swings Kaine Hatukai and Laura Sillett, with circus performers Kiera Brunton, Emily Odunsi, Dan Holland, and Andre Rodrigues, who is also making his musical theatre debut.

Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. The show promises a spectacle of sights, wonders, and miracles, as Barnum’s life and career unfold with both triumphs and pitfalls. His relentless pursuit of the extraordinary comes at a cost, often paid by those around him.