Behind the scenes at Barnum
The spectacular summer musical Barnum is about to transport you from The Watermill to the Circus with a fabulous ensemble cast of actor-musicians and circus performers. Here’s the first sneak peek behind the scenes during rehearsals.
Step right up and enter the dazzling world of PT Barnum - where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Delight at every sight, wonder and miracle as the creator of spectacle comes to town with a sensational show featuring a whole host of characters.
Hand in hand with wife Charity, American showman and businessman Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights. However, the irresistible pull of an ever-bigger humbug comes at a cost, and the people paying are usually those on whom Barnum tramples on the way to the top.
The cast includes Matt Rawle as P T Barnum, Monique Young as Charity Barnum, Jenny Lind as Penny Ashmore and Fergus Rattigan as General Tom Thumb as well as many more.
The production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical – West End, The Last Five Years – Southwark Playhouse & West End), with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart, a book by Mark Bramble and choreography from Strictly star Oti Mabuse.
“Delight at every sight, wonder and miracle as the creator of spectacle comes to town with a sensational show featuring a whole host of characters.”
The Watermill’s joint CEOs Claire Murray and Paul Hart said: "We're so excited to welcome this talented company of actors, musicians and acrobats and an extraordinary creative team to The Watermill for this new production of Barnum. We've been working closely with National Centre for Circus Arts to realise all the thrills and spectacle of the circus and it's brilliant to have Oti Mabuse back with us to create breath-taking movement and dance.
“This summer is going to be something special for all the family!"
Barnum opens at The Watermill at Bagnor on Tuesday, July 2 and runs to Sunday, September 8.
Fancy testing out your skills and seeing if you have what it takes to join the circus? Then you can go and join the circus on August 25 from 12.30pm (2.30pm show start time) for an afternoon of fun, food and frivolity in the Watermill gardens, before watching the show. Tickets from £50 (£45 for under 16s) including a ticket to see Barnum.
You can eat before or after the show by making a reservation in the theatre’s Ringside Restaurant for a two-course meal, or if you're after a more casual affair, you can enjoy a range of funfair themed delights on the back lawn including hotdogs, chips and sweet-treats.
