Come Alive! – a musical circus spectacular that doesn’t need to rewrite the stars – it deserves them all ★★★★★
Inspired by the film The Greatest Showman, ‘COME ALIVE!’ is a musical circus spectacular, starring the finest international circus acts and musical theatre talent from the West End. I went to see it last night and it was INSANE!
This new show features all the hit GREATEST SHOWMAN songs by Pasek and Paul including ‘This Is Me’, ‘Rewrite the Stars’, ‘A Million Dreams’, ‘Tightrope’ and ‘The Greatest Show’.
The story begins 1 hour before show-time and you are encouraged to arrive early for the interactive pre-show experience, where you can explore a magical world behind the Big Top. You can enjoy close-up performances, meet curious characters, savour food at the Empress Diner and sample drinks at the various bars.
Who’s in the cast?
New cast members will take centre stage from late September with Urdang graduate Anoushka Tandon-Sangar making her professional debut in the lead role of ‘Max’, a shy young circus enthusiast who is yet to discover her true potential.
Joining the immensely talented cast of circus professionals are Tara Talland and Ebony Gumbs. Hailing from the States, Tara has soared with notable companies including NoFit State, Troupe Vertigo and Revel Puck Circus while UK-born Ebony trained at London’s NCCA before joining the cast.
Sam Barnes enters the Empress Museum, alongside Canada’s Nathan Briscoe, who leaps across the pond from Cirque du Soleil.
Taking over the role of the Ringmaster Kai Hou has travelled the world with Cirque du Soleil, Britain’s Got Talent, the Brit Awards and Les 7 Doigts de la Main and boasts the Guinness world record for the most back handsprings performed in a minute. Continuing circus cast includes Dean Murrell, Jimmy Wong, Bella Diosa, Eric McGill, Josephine Urry, Jackie Le, Antino Pansa, Tybald Griesbacher, Roman Karpovich, Sam Nash and Keiron The Mighty. Shona Morgan is also returning to the cast.
Joining our cavalcade of singers, ‘COME ALIVE!’ welcomes Maia Hawkins, Greg Oliver (The David Bowie Show, The Rock’n’Roll Alien) and Deshawn Gordon. Simon Bailey continues in the role of the Showman, alongside singers Whitney Martins and Giovanni Spano.
Finally, our dancers are pleased to be accepting new stowaways, runaways and college graduates Rachel Gardiner, Ethan Brenchley and Elliott Brady. They join Emma-Louise Stansall, Maisie Axton, Genie Gledhill, Mia Jayne, Ebby Sama and Ross Wilkins as the roustabouts.
The fifth part of this show is definitely The Band and with a show that seems to aim to be a visual spectacle in every way possible, it seemed a shame to keep them hidden away and not showcased around the auditorium with their own costumes and lighting.
Creative team
‘COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular has songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Choreographers Jerry Reeve (Taylor Swift, The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Party At The Palace) and Lukas McFarlane (Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance?, The X Factor), Emmy Award-nominated Lighting Designer Adam Bassett for Woodroffe Basset Design (The Rolling Stones – ‘SIXTY’ Tour 2022, London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, Adele – Live), Set Designer Ruby Law (Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith, the Royal Albert Hall, Sadler’s Wells Theatre), Costume Designer Susan Kulkarni (The Peripheral, Silence, Dirty Dancing – Secret Cinema), Art Director Mika Handley (Aladdin – West End, Guardians of the Galaxy – Secret Cinema) and Casting by Pearson Casting (Starlight Express, Six).
Accessibility
This isn’t a cheap night out if you want to make the most of it. Tickets seem to be available currently starting at £45 and going up to £200. Given the layout of the theatre, I can’t imagine there is much difference in view no matter what price you pay so the cheaper end will still give you an amazing experience. The show is only around 90 minutes (including a twenty minute interval) and the suggestion to arrive an hour early and also stay after to dance the night away, is great, but means potentially spending out more cash on food and drink.
The show is extremely over stimulating. The cast members microphones are left switched on over the music during the performances and so you can hear them talking to audience members which is likely there to give the experience a more realistic feel but can be very distracting if you are sensitive to noise.
There is a lot going on at all times and it can be difficult to know where to focus your attention. Performers use the full space and you never know who is going to pop up where. It’s colourful, loud and full of death-defying acts that leave you on the edge of your seat. Anxiety inducing but utterly mesmerising.
My verdict
I held my breath for so long in anticipation – I nearly died! It was INSANE and showcases how our bodies are instruments and tools. Whether it is singing, acting or doing the splits on a tightrope, every person on that stage was at the top of their game. They did things on a seesaw that no child should try to replicate in the playground.
I would 100% recommend this to families and groups wanting a fun night out with lots of activities before and after the performance. Yes, it’s expensive but with a cast of 30 you can see why and it is worth every penny!
Come Alive doesn’t need to rewrite the stars – it deserves them all ★★★★★
Reviewed by West End Wilma
Additional information about Come Alive
Booking until
27 September 2026
Show Times
Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 2.30pm (pre-show from 1.30pm)
Wednesday-Saturday at 7.30pm (pre-show from 6.30pm)
Running Time
2hrs 40 (inc. 1hr pre-show and interval)
Theatre
The Empress Museum
Age Recommendation
6+
Access Performances
BSL interpreted performance 13 July 2025
Captioned Performance 25 October 2025
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