Barnum a spectacular show that takes time to find Its rhythm. Matt Rawle is P.T. Barnum, and he is here to entertain you. This long-standing, iconic musical arrived in Wimbledon with plenty to impress, and to some degree, it really did. The production showcased some impressive and highly skilled acrobatics, alongside talented musicians and actors who brought considerable energy and ability to the stage. The staging was well executed, although it felt somewhat restricted by the relatively small scale of the venue. This was, of course, beyond the production’s control, but it did unfortunately limit some of the grandeur and magnificence that this musical is known for. Act One was long, and slow-paced and occasionally stilted. There were also moments when the performances seemed to lack a sense of authentic emotion, making it harder to become fully immersed in the characters and the story. Newby’s costume design was superb, with incredible attention to detail.
However, Act Two was a noticeable improvement. The story began to come alive, the pace picked up and the energy of the performers really shone through. The acrobatics became particularly impressive, and the combination of Oti Mabuse’s choreography uplifted the performance and was a thrill to watch, creating a fresh and vibrant energy. Music, movement and performance created a much stronger sense of excitement and theatricality. The music itself was reassuringly familiar and, for the most part, executed with considerable skill. There was a confidence and professionalism in the musicianship that provided a strong foundation for the performance. However, the sound balance was not always as successful. At times, the volume was simply too loud, overpowering the ensemble performers and unfortunately drowning out the articulation of some of the lyrics. This was particularly frustrating when the words carried important emotional or narrative meaning, as the audience was occasionally left hearing the music rather than fully experiencing the storytelling within it. Overall, this is a production with some genuinely impressive talent and spectacular moments. Jonathan O’Boyle has succeeded in bringing Barnum to the audience and it is wonderful to see. This musical has a deep lineage and should always be remembered for the iconic moments; the tightrope scene being one of them.
The creative team will for sure make Barnum a success it deserves to be.
Directed by Jonathan O’ Boyle
Choreographer: Oti Mabuse
Set & Costume: Lee Newby
Musical Supervisor: George Dyer
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 29th September 2026
North West End UK Rating: