Barnum literally bursts onto the Donald Gordon Stage at the Wales Millennium Centre. After an almost ten-year absence for the musical, and in a world that now contains The Greatest Showman (incidentally the brand-new musical version opened this week at the Bristol Hippodrome), does the show still stand up against its newer, poppier counterparts?

I had never heard any of the songs from the show, but thought the score was delightful, a perfect blend of musical theatre and circus music, with plenty of opportunities for showstopping circus tricks and dance numbers. The opening of act two, Come Follow the Band complete with aerial tricks, clowns, full marching band and mesmerising dancing was a particular upbeat highlight, but the show also contains some beautiful contrasting ballads, such as Love Makes Such Fools of Us All and the beautifully tragic The Colours of My Life (Reprise).

The set is beautiful, blending just the right amount of the circus ring with the world that PT Barnum inhabited. The big top central section is perfectly suited for the tumbling antics of the circus ensemble. The proscenium arch complete with its resplendent theatre boxes truly sets us in Barnum’s world and allows for some lovely level work, with performers popping up all over the place. The circus is cleverly integrated into the set with well positioned ladders built into the set, tightropes appearing from the wings, and aerial equipment appearing and disappearing in the wink of an eye.

The cast and ensemble are not so much triple threat as quadruple or quintuple threats. The dancers are not just dancers but acrobats, tumblers, aerial artists and more. The actor musicians are also incredibly muli talented. Most of them play multiple instruments and sing like a dream. I was beyond impressed at the way each performer swapped between piano, brass, strings and more. The dancing and circus act blend effortlessly together to create dreamlike sequences, the ‘humbuggery’ of Barnum’s creations. Every actor is a player in the circus; even Lee Mead himself braves the tightrope in a breathtaking moment in which you could have heard a pin drop.

I am unable to mention individually the talent, as this review would go on for pages, but I must mention the stunning vocals of Penny Ashmore as the Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind, who returned later as an en pointe ensemble member. Monique Young as Charity Barnum was also excellent, gorgeous vocals, a tour de force against her humbug husband Barnum, and a wonderful dancer too, holding her own in sequences with the circus dancers.

Lee Mead gives a fantastically charismatic performance as the titular character. His performance is endearing, energetic, joyous and full of charm. His vocals soar; even after the high octane dance numbers he never falters. His relationship with Young’s Charity Barnum is truly believable and their scenes together are heartfelt and funny. It’s a tough pair of shoes to fill as everyone now knows Hugh Jackman as the greatest showman himself, but Lee is more than up to the challenge, creating a version of Barnum that is all his own.

So, step right up to the greatest show in town. It may not have the popularity of the newer film (and now musical) version, but if the standing ovation is anything to go by, it’s more than capable of being respected and admired alongside its younger ‘cousin.’ Follow the band, smear on the greasepaint, grab the popcorn and enjoy the sheer spectacle of Barnum The Circus Musical.

(4.5 / 5)

You always know you’re in safe hands with a production originally forged at the Chichester Festival Theatre and I am beyond trilled to report that Top Hat is another phenomenal production. Based on the 1935 film, this production could feel ‘old hat’ rather than ‘Top Hat,’ but with a pacey storyline, a hugely gifted cast and ensemble, slick dance routines and slapstick that the Palladium Panto would be jealous of, the latest iteration of this classic musical tap danced straight into my heart and refused to budge.

The opening number of Putting on the Ritz really showed off the ensemble’s tight, energetic dancing prowess, and this remains throughout the entire performance. The tap dancing especially, had me spellbound; there’s nothing quite like a perfect line of tap dancers tapping in precise unison! The ensemble singing is also gorgeous, bringing the classic tunes to life and breathing fresh life into them.

The main drive behind this fantastic production, however, is the lead cast, and what a cast they are. Alex Gibson-Giorgio as Alberto Beddini is a joyous, riot of a character; his rendition of Latins Know How had the audience howling with laughter. His characterisation of the hapless Italian was endearing, hilarious and he delivered some of the wittiest puns of the show with excellent comic chops and timing. In an equally hilarious portrayal, James Clyde as Bates is a sight to behold. This was a masterclass in comedy, his costume changes, his accents, his ability to hold the audience in the palm of his hand…simply wonderful.

Only appearing in Act Two might mean that a character leaves less of an impact on an audience, but this is not the case with Sally Ann Triplett’s portrayal of Madge Hardwick. She has some of the best one liners in the show, delivered with devastating, and hilarious precision and poise. She only needed to glance towards the audience to have us burst into laughter. She commanded the stage and was truly the matriarch of the Top Hat world. She is teamed with James Hume as poor, long suffering, Horace Hardwick. Horace seems to end up with the worst end of the stick every time and Hume gives us a performance which is so endearing but also full of comic genius. His hiding in the bridal suite during Wild About You and his incident with the steak on his black eye were exceptionally executed, proving slapstick, when executed well, still has a place in modern theatres.

Finally, Amara Okereke and Phillip Attmore bring Dale Tremont and Jerry Travers to life, respectively. Amara shows us a Dale who is fierce, strong, independent, yet childlike and eager in her discovery of love with Jerry. Her dancing is stunning, her voice like velvet. She holds her own against the love protestations of both Jerry and Alberto and brings a fresh side to a character who pirouetted across the silver screen in 1935. I particularly enjoyed her heartfelt, stunningly sung rendition of Better Luck Next Time.

Phillip Attmore brings a zest and charm to Jerry Travers which is truly joyous to behold. His dancing is so clean and precise, and he captures the essence of the original Jerry, Fred Astaire, whilst bringing his own evident charm and qualities to the role. He leans into the classic film but never makes you feel that he is plagiarising the original, he brings a voice, performance and dancing which is all his own. Whether in tap shoes or not, he is a joy to watch.

This is a slick, well designed production which doesn’t stop for even a moment and, as such, makes it a truly captivating watch. It’s revival productions like this with beautiful set, gorgeous costuming and an ensemble and cast to die for that prove that, even almost 100 years later, musicals like Top Hat still have a very well deserved place in our theatres and in our hearts.