Barnum at Nottingham Playhouse: “A visual spectacle” — review
The show is based on the life of the circus showman
You might have heard of P.T. Barnum, thanks to the popularity of The Greatest Showman. This musical, Barnum, showcases the story of the circus creator in a different way.
I went and reviewed this show on its UK tour at the Nottingham Playhouse (nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk), where it is playing until May 30. It is currently touring the country until October 2026.
If you’re looking for May events, this theatre show is ideal for fans of traditional musicals. For more reviews and events, subscribe to The Notts Edit for free.
Barnum at Nottingham Playhouse review
★★★
By Charlotte Brudenell
Photos by Pamela Raith
You’ve likely heard of The Greatest Showman, one of the most popular movie musicals of the past few years. Before that, P.T. Barnum’s life was told through a slightly more accurate Broadway musical, Barnum, written by Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, and that premiered in 1980.
I went and reviewed this show on its UK tour at the Nottingham Playhouse. It is currently touring the country until October 2026. I went into this show quite blind, not knowing any of the music or what to expect.
The musical is based on the life of P.T. Barnum, an American showman and politician who popularised the three-ring circus, known as the Barnum and Bailey circus. The musical also details his founding of the American Museum, which would showcase theatrical shows as well as a “Horde of Curiosities”, such as the oldest woman to live, alongside mermaids, too.
There’s no doubt in saying that this musical could be seen as a bit outdated. It lacks the charm that many traditional, more well-known musicals have, as many of the songs feel forgettable, and none of them really stick in your head. The script and plot appear to be a bit flat, leaving the actors little to work with, which is a shame as they truly are incredibly talented.
This show truly is a visual spectacle. There’s no doubt about the fact that you truly get immersed in the theatrics of it all. The staging is presented as if you are at a circus, with many performers hanging from the ceiling and performing tricks across the stage throughout the show.
Without a doubt, the circus performances pull the show together. They distract the audience from the mediocre plot-line, with actors swallowing fire, hanging from ribbons and spinning around the stage in hoops, as well as a healthy amount of acrobatics.
Emily Odunsi’s performance – a gymnast who has represented Great Britain – as one of the circus performers really stood out to me. She seemed so enthusiastic about her role and really put her all into it. It was amazing watching her complete these incredible feats, such as shooting a bow and arrow with her legs.
This would not have been possible without the talented Oti Mabuse’s choreography. Knowing her history, such as being a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, it wasn’t a surprise that her choreography worked so well in this show.
Lee Mead played the role of P.T. Barnum, and it is clear he deserves a career on the stage. After winning the BBC series Any Dream Will Do in 2007, he has had a successful career in the world of musical theatre. His passion for the arts really radiates through, and I look forward to seeing what show he will be in next, as he really is a joy to watch.
What immensely lets the show down is the plot, the script and the music at times as well. If it were not for the flashy costumes and dances during the big numbers, the songs would have been rather forgettable. The cast truly are working as best as they can with what they have been given, and they deserve all the credit for that. I felt as though the story was difficult to follow and was very surface-level. It never delved into anything deeper than Barnum wanting his circus to succeed, and there were a few unexplained plot points.
The audience never finds out why Charity, Barnum’s wife, dies, and this left the story feeling unfinished and slightly confusing. After this point, the rest of the second act feels incredibly rushed, though there are some fun dance numbers, which thankfully take away from this.
It is also important to add that the story ignores Barnum’s wrongdoings. He famously called his circus performers “freaks” and was not inclusive of them at all. He also bought and owned slaves, whom he used in his museum and circuses as well. The ignorance of these acts makes it seem as though Barnum was a wholly good person when, in fact, this was not the truth.
From this, it is understandable that The Greatest Showman was created, as it has a more highly engaging storyline, which is easier to follow and appeals to a wider majority of people, even though it was more fictionalised than this story.
Barnum is a taste of more traditional musical theatre. Though it may not appeal to some, maybe the younger generation, it is a good show for those who enjoy shows with lots of dancing and excellent visuals.
Barnum is playing at the Nottingham Playhouse until May 30 (nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk) and is currently travelling the country until October 31, 2026 (kenwright.com).
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