Lee Mead and Matt Rawle will take the lead in Barnum, the classic Broadway musical, when the touring production hits the road in 2026, visiting Richmond Theatre and New Wimbledon Theatre.
Step right up and enter the dazzling world of PT Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twist and turn as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights.
This spectacular production will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of actor-musicians, acrobats and amazing circus acts. Audiences are certain to delight at every sight, wonder and miracle that the name Barnum stands for!
Mead will play Barnum from the show opening on Tuesday, February 3 in Windsor, before Rawle takes over from Tuesday, August 12 in Newcastle. Mead will perform at Richmond Theatre from June 23-27, with Rawle at New Wimbledon Theatre from September 29 – October 3.
Starring alongside Lee are Monique Young as Charity Barnum, Penny Ashmore as Jenny Lind, Dominique Planter as Joice Heth and Fergus Rattigan as General Tom Thumb.
They are joined by Elena Buck, Gianpaolo Candelaria, Eamonn Cox, James Gill, Jessica Jolleys, Kevin Oliver Jones, Emma Jane Morton, Sophie Precious Muringu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Emily Odunsi, André Rodrigues, Ben Scott,Laura Sillett, Tom Sowinski, Tom Sterlingand Niki Tsonopoulou.
The musical comes from Cy Coleman (music), Michael Stewart (lyrics) and Mark Bramble (book). The show features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.
The production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse. The creative team also includes George Dyer (arranger, orchestrator & musical supervisor), Lee Newby (set & costume designer), Matt Nicholson (co-choreographer), Jai Morjaria (lighting designer), Tom Marshall (sound designer), Amy Panter (circus director), Kevin Oliver Jones (musical director), Jess Ellen Knight (associate director), Iona Luvsandorj and Sabrina Joshua (circus instructors), Zippos Circus and The National Centre for Circus Arts (circus consultants), Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller for Significant Object (puppet designers) and Helen Foan for Significant Object (puppetry director). It is produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd.
Barnum was originally produced on the Broadway stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F Rosenfield in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld.
Tickets here.
Top image: Barnum artwork (image supplied)