Barnum - The Circus Musical

We have some exciting news for March. The classic Broadway show, Barnum – The Circus Musical, is rolling into the Theatre Royal Brighton soon. This production celebrates the life of the legendary 19th-century showman, P.T. Barnum, following his journey alongside his wife, Charity, as he schemes and dreams his way to success. This isn't just a standard musical; it’s a spectacular new staging produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd. They are bringing a huge cast of over 20 actor-musicians, who will be playing 150 instruments, alongside acrobats and various circus acts. The creative team includes direction by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreography by Oti Mabuse, ensuring a fresh take on this beloved story.

The big draw here is the casting. The lead role of P.T. Barnum will be played by West End favourite and TV star, Lee Mead. You probably remember him from winning Any Dream Will Do and his acclaimed roles in shows like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Wicked. For this production, Mead is stepping into Barnum's shoes and will even be performing the famous tightrope walk—replicating the act that made theatrical history when Michael Crawford starred in the original London production. The music itself is by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Michael Stewart, and the score features well-known classics like 'Join the Circus', 'Colours of My Life', 'Come Follow the Band', and 'Love Makes Such Fools of Us All'.

If you're planning to catch the show, mark your calendars. Barnum runs for just one week at the Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD, starting on Tuesday, March 3rd, and closing on Saturday, March 7th, 2026. They have a good mix of times available. Evening performances start at 7:30 PM every night (Tuesday through Saturday), and there are matinees at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The total running time is 2 hours and 10 minutes, which includes an interval. Tickets are available now, starting from £15.00.