Bill Kenwright Ltd has recently announced that they are going to be doing a full UK tour of Barnum. This is a Broadway musical that celebrates the life of P.T. Barnum, the World’s Greatest Showman. The show is set to take place on Saturday April 25th 2026, and there’s going to be a world premiere planned, meaning it’s going to be fully accessible to theater fans across the globe.
The Greatest Showman was a Huge Hit
The movie Greatest Showman was a huge hit. Benj Pasek wrote the score with Justin Paul, with powerful, catchy, and uplifting songs. The soundtrack also topped charts across the world and became a cultural phenomenon soon after its release. Hugh Jackman also brought a level of charisma, as well as emotional depth. As he was a strong musical talent, he played the role of P.T. Barnum perfectly. Even though there were a lot of reasons why the movie was a success, production nearly didn’t go ahead. Producers weren’t sure if the circus theme would be a hit, but if you look throughout media history, it’s always been a prominent part of entertainment. Circus and carnival themes are bold and visually rich, with big lights and grand music tying in with the spectacle.
Different approaches have also helped to shape the realm of possibility for carnival and circus-themed concepts. Take Lockdown VR: Circus of the Dead, for example. This game was popular upon release, with people having to solve puzzles and uncover secrets while being trapped in a circus dressing room. Even in iGaming, fluffy slots like Fluffy Favourites, explore the circus and carnival theme, but in a more whimsical format. With free spins, this popular 25 line game promises a fantastic time at the fair.
With red and white circus tents, the funfair setting helps to showcase the bright lights and colors that the theme is known for. When you break this down, it’s clear that the circus theme has been explored in a lot of different ways, with great success. The film’s foundation was always there; it just needed the right people to make it happen.
West End Star Lee Lead is Taking Centre Stage
Lee Mead is going to star in the new production. He’s got a number of acclaimed performances under his belt, with Any Dream Will Do and Wicked. He also starred in Legally Blonde. Not only that, but he brings a lot of emotional depth to the role and has a great deal of charisma, too. Barnum was shown in the UK when the production was held at the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making history that night. Now Mead is stepping into his shoes, with the show being broadcast to people across the world. There are going to be 20 actor musicians who play 150 instruments in total, along with acrobats and an international orchestra. Jonathan O’Boyle is going to be directing it, and Oti Mabuse from Strictly Come Dancing is going to be handling the choreography.
With so many exciting people part of this production, it’s clear that it’s going to be a big hit, especially when you look at the love people have for the theme and the success of the movie itself.
