“At humbugging, I’m the best there is!
There is so much to love about the new production of Barnum, the Circus Musical that has just started its tour at Richmond Theatre. The promise of 150 musical instruments, with a 20-strong cast of actors/musicians, was what had me accepting the invitation to the opening night: I’m a sucker for live music… Whether there were actually 150 was impossible to tell – it could have been a touch of Barnum “humbug” but what is indisputable is just how glorious the multitude of instruments is, added to which is no shortage of talent, choreography, singing, showmanship and fine scenography, all on glorious display, making this very special indeed, writes Eleanor Thorn.
‘Special’ is a key word for P. (Phineas) T. (Taylor) Barnum and is how he describes his unique circus attractions. Rather than exploitative, we see a likeable fellow with big dreams and rather dubious claims made to pull in audiences – the Oldest Woman in the World (Dominique Planter) (160!), “George Washington’s nurse”, is the first example we are presented (the way she superbly catches her walking stick is a precursor to many more ‘wow’ moments to come).
The counterbalance to P. T. Barnum (Lee Mead)’s flighty dreams is the feet-on-the-ground attitude of his wife, Charity ‘Chairy’ Barnum (Monique Young). “How about working in a clock factory?” she suggests… But soon enough she comes round: her husband’s appetite for circus is not only unstoppable but infectious, and her initial plea for him to work towards “sensible dreams we can reach” is cast aside. First things first, there is a museum to build, and who better to lay the bricks than the group of circus performers! Each moment that calls for a song, calls also for a host of musicians, acrobats and Barnum’s name in lights. A factory job would lack colour, and all through his life, colour is requisite, and their anthem is “The Colours of My Life” (music by Cy Coleman).
The museum pulls in huge numbers but is short-lived: fire puts paid to his curatorial dreams. “I hope I’m being humbugged” says he, at this news, thus expanding the versatility of the word ‘humbug’. From a static museum, the impresario in him vows to give wheels to his attractions.
One of the most effective visual delights is the scene of General Tom Thumb (Fergus Rattigan) next to two giant beefeaters, behind which hangs a vast Union Jack. Beautiful puppet Jumbo the elephant’s ears flapping to the drum beats also enchants (designers Mervyn Millar and Tracy Waller).
Charity sends her husband to sign already legendary ‘Swedish Nightingale’ singer Jenny Lind (Penny Ashmore). Her harp playing, singing in Swedish with the stunningly romantic aerial acrobatics by a duo of performers on ropes behind her, is exceptional.
The absolute wowser of the show is surely the acrobatic accomplishment of Lee Mead whose biography gives no hint of prior circus training. See it to believe it! All to win a kiss from Jenny… But six months on he realises the error of his way, and reunites with his forgiving wife, who once more boosts his morale with the flip of a coin.
With sousaphone centre-stage, the fabulous marching band on the White House lawn deserves mention. Later (1875) Barnum dabbles, successfully, in politics and becomes mayor of his hometown, ever the man to reinvent himself.
“At humbugging, I’m the best there is!” says he. Go decide for yourselves!
Richmond Theatre until 27th June.
Booking and full tour details: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/barnum/
