Barnum – Review – Hull New Theatre
By Rachel Howard, June 2026
Hold on to your hats, Hull, because the circus is in town! And it’s not just any circus…
Within seconds of Hull New Theatre’s curtain going up, we are propelled explosively into the 19th-century world of Phineas Taylor Barnum and his magnificent circus. Forget a slow build up to a concluding crescendo, this show is sensational right from the start.
The theatre is pretty full for a Tuesday opening night, and the infamous history of Barnum may well have something to do with that. Having premiered on Broadway in 1980, the tale of PT Barnum has been capturing the imagination of audiences around the world ever since. In 2017, the story of Barnum opened up to a new generation with the movie The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman in the lead role. Despite its popularity, many award nominations and wins, the movie was a much-romanticised version of the true story, avoiding the more complex issues of Barnum’s actual life.
Written by Mark Bramble, with lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, the musical tells the story of the showman’s life from 1835 to 1880. Determined to create the most spectacular circus ever seen, Barnum gathers a motley crew of ethically questionable acts including “160-year-old” Joice Heth, 25-inch tall General Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind – the Swedish Nightingale. Demonstrating his less than honourable side, Barnum hopes his cast of outcasts will bring in crowds from far and wide – proudly exclaiming “there’s a sucker born every minute”.
But as Barnum’s show becomes bigger, and his sense of ambition grows stronger, he finds himself at odds with his devoted wife Charity, putting strain on their marriage and resulting in an affair with cast member Jenny Lind.
“Commanding”
Six months on and Barnum is viewing life very differently. Regretting his choice, he leaves Jenny and manages to win back the heart of Charity, who insists that this time things will be done “her way”. But of course, not all love stories end happily ever after, and this one is no exception, as Jenny falls ill and dies suddenly, leaving her husband to face the world alone.
Despite his heartache, Barnum keeps the dream alive and after meeting James Anthony Bailey, they go on to form Barnum and Bailey Circus – billed as The Greatest Show on Earth.
Rolling up to take on the lead role of Barnum in this UK tour is star of stage and screen Lee Mead. This is the first time I have seen Lee on stage and it’s clear why he’s become the star he has. He was born to be on stage – and born for the role of Barnum. A commanding stage presence, powerful voice, not to mention a talent for tight-rope walking, he is the perfect Barnum.
Monique Young plays his on-stage wife, Charity Barnum, displaying a beautiful vulnerability and a good dose of feistiness as she tries to manage her husband’s ever increasing ambitions, not to mention his adultery.
Alongside Mead and Young, the rest of the cast and ensemble are what take this show from good to glittering. One of my favourites of the night is Dominique Planter in a dual role as Joice Heth and the Blues Singer. Her voice is one of the smoothest, richest voices I have heard on stage, I could honestly listen to her all night. Whether she’s playing a ”160-year-old” or sashaying around the stage singing the blues, she absolutely nails it. Bravo!
Fergus Rattigan as Tom Thumb brings the laughs and endears the audience immediately, while Penny Ashmore as Jenny Lind makes the hairs on my arms stand to attention with her outstanding opera and heavenly harp-playing.
“Vibrant”
But let’s face it, a trip to see Barnum is indeed a trip to the circus, and what would a circus be without its performers? Tonight’s production does not disappoint, with the ensemble providing an energetic and breathtaking display of acrobatics, contortion, fire eating, singing and dancing. At times there is so much going on I barely know where to look for fear of missing something magnificent. Each stunt is pulled off with amazing precision and every inch of the stage is utilised by the phenomenally talented cast – which, by the way, includes an elephant. Yes, you read the correctly. An elephant.
In a rare spectacle, it is the cast that provide the music for this show. The actor-musicians pick up all manner of instruments throughout the production, seamlessly incorporating them into the storyline and the stage set-up. Do their talents ever end?!
Set and Costume Designer Lee Newby expertly turns the stage into the Barnum Big Top, which seems to be make the stage look even bigger than usual. The colours are vibrant, and Jai Morjaria’s lighting is used effectively to evoke all the charm and fun of the circus.
Choreography is provided by none other than Strictly Come Dancing’s Oti Mabuse, who does a sterling job of filling the stage with a perfectly in-sync cast of more than 20 performers, and Circus Director Amy Panter should be applauded for the visual feast of acrobatics that regularly keeps our hearts in our mouths.
Barnum is a fun-filled, energetic spectacle that is sure to impress even the most serious of theatre-goers. Lee Mead excels as the showman, and the cast work beautifully together to make this trip to the circus one to remember.
Barnum is at Hull New Theatre until 6th June
images: Pamela Raith
After studying English at university and having a lifelong love of writing, Rachel, a full-time editor, came to On Yorkshire in 2017 where she started off reviewing theatre productions in and around the East Yorkshire area. That love of theatre soon expanded into hotels, restaurants and travel, not to mention becoming one of On Yorkshire’s resident beauty editors, reviewing the latest products, spas and treatments. Rachel loves to sample the very best Yorkshire and the UK have to offer in order to bring you the low down on the high life!
